Tkachuk rooting for U.S. at world juniors

Brady Tkachuk holds no animosity whatsoever toward the Montreal Canadiens.

In fact, the Senators impressive young rookie is glad the Habs bypassed him in the NHL entry draft, taking Jesperi Kotkaniemi with the third overall pick so the Senators could select him at No. 4.

“There’s no hard feelings because this is the place I wanted to be,” Tkachuk said Thursday morning in the Senators dressing room. “I love this place. When I found out I was going to get drafted here, I was the happiest person alive.”

Also pleasing Tkachuk is the fact the world junior championships are fast approaching. While he plays what some might describe as a “Canadian” style of game — and suits up for the NHL team in Canada’s capital — Tkachuk makes no bones about his allegiances.

“I’m going to be the biggest diehard USA fan,” said Tkachuk, a Scottsdale, Ariz. native who won bronze with the Americans in last year’s tournament. “All my best buddies are on the team, so I’ll be really rooting for them.”

Tkachuk does admit it’s fun to be in Canada for the buildup to the event. Especially while lounging in the Senators room.

“You always see the commercials on TV,” he said. “I like to throw some chirps out there once in a while. It’s real exciting around here. Back at BU (Boston University) there’s not really a bunch of televised world junior hype up. To see it on commercials and to see how passionate Canadians are about it, it’s pretty cool. I’ll definitely be rooting for the U.S. at this tournament.”

And he’ll continue doing so no matter how long he’s a Senator.

“To be honest with you I don’t think I’m ever going to switch,” he said.

“I’m born in the States, played for the U.S. program, I’m an American, so I’m sorry but that will never change.”