Brady Tkachuk
Tkachuk with the Ottawa Senators in 2023
Born (1999-09-16) September 16, 1999 (age 24)
Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 221 lb (100 kg; 15 st 11 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
NHL team Ottawa Senators
NHL Draft 4th overall, 2018
Ottawa Senators
Playing career 2018–present

Braeden "Brady" Tkachuk[1] (/kəˈtʃʌk/; born September 16, 1999) is an American professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Tkachuk was chosen by the Senators as the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to turning professional, Tkachuk played one season for the Boston University Terriers, earning All-Hockey East Rookie Team honors.

Internationally, Tkachuk has represented the US at the 2017 IIHF World U18 Championships and 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Playing career

After playing for the St. Louis AAA Blues U16 and committing to the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP), Tkachuk agreed to play for Boston University (BU) once he had completed two seasons with the NTDP.[2] In his play for the BU Terriers, he scored four goals and ten assists in 19 games as a freshman before making the U.S. under-20 national team for the 2018 World Junior Championships.[3] Nearing the end of the NCAA season, Tkachuk was selected for the Hockey East Rookie Team after ranking fifth on the team in points.[4][5]

Leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Tkachuk was ranked second overall for North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau.[6] He was eventually drafted fourth overall by the Ottawa Senators. Tkachuk signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Senators on August 13, 2018, forgoing his remaining three years of NCAA eligibility.[7][8] After participating in the Senators preseason games, Tkachuk was sidelined for the Senators' first two regular season games with a groin injury. He eventually made his NHL debut on October 8 in a 6–3 loss to the Boston Bruins.[9] The following game, on October 10, Tkachuk recorded his first career NHL goal, and first multi-goal game, in a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. He became the fastest Tkachuk to record his first NHL goal, surpassing his brother and father.[10] On October 17, after skating in four games for the Senators, it was announced that Tkachuk had a torn ligament in his leg and was set to be out for a month to recover.[11] Tkachuk eventually returned to the Senators line-up on November 8, 2018, for a game against the Vegas Golden Knights.[12] On March 28, 2019, in a game against the Florida Panthers, Tkachuk tied the Senators' franchise record for most shots on goal in a game with 12. In the same game, he scored his 20th goal of the season to tie Alexandre Daigle for the Senators' record for most goals by a teenage player in a season.[13] Tkachuk finished the 2018–19 season with 22 goals, the second-highest among NHL rookies, behind Elias Pettersson's 28.[14]

Tkachuk (center) battling for position with Brian Dumoulin of the Seattle Kraken in 2024.

Tkachuk was named an alternate captain in the 2020–21 season.[15] Tkachuk was selected to replace the injured Auston Matthews on the Atlantic Division roster for the 2020 NHL All-Star Game on January 22, 2020.[16] He finished the season with 17 goals and 36 points in 56 games and established himself as a pest to opposing teams and a leader to his own.[17]

On October 14, 2021, Tkachuk signed a seven-year, $57.5 million contract with the Senators.[18] 22 days later, on November 5, Tkachuk was named as the tenth captain in Senators franchise history.[19] On November 27, 2021, Tkachuk was bit by Brendan Lemieux of the Los Angeles Kings during a scrum in the corner.[20] Lemieux was assessed a match penalty and was suspended for five games.[21] On December 11, 2021, Tkachuk scored his first NHL hat trick against Brian Elliott in a 4–0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.[22] On April 5, 2022, Tkachuk scored a goal and two assists in a 6–3 win over the Montreal Canadiens.[23]

At the outset of the 2022–23 season, Tkachuk was expected to play on the first line with Josh Norris and Drake Batherson.[24] However, shortly after the season began, Norris suffered a season-ending injury on October 22, 2022.[25] This forced the Senators to shuffle their forwards, placing Tkachuk on a line with Tim Stützle.[26] On December 2, 2022, in Tkachuk's 300th career game, the Senators captain recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick, scoring his 100th and 101st career goals, with the 101st being the game winner in overtime and an assist in a 3–2 overtime win over the New York Rangers.[27] Tkachuk was named to the NHL All-Star Game in Florida, representing Ottawa. He played alongside his brother, Matthew, on the Atlantic Division team.[28] In a February 27, 2023 6–2 win over the Detroit Red Wings, Tkachuk skated over to the Red Wings bench at the end of the second period and challenged the entire Red Wings team. Tkachuk scored a goal in the win, which helped move the Senators closer to a possible playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.[29] Towards the end of the season, as the Senators sought to get one of the last playoff spots in the conference, Tkachuk registered a goal and an assist in a March 27 5–2 win over the Florida Panthers, who were also vying for a playoff spot.[30] However, the Senators were eliminated from playoff contention on April 7, 2023 in a 7–2 loss to the Panthers.

International play

Medal record
Representing  United States
Men's ice hockey
IIHF World U18 Championships
Gold medal – first place 2017 Slovakia
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2018 United States

Tkachuk was the captain of the gold-winning U.S. under-18 national team at the 2017 IIHF World U18 Championships.

Tkachuk was selected to the U.S. under-20 national team for the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Buffalo, New York, winning bronze.[31]

Personal life

Tkachuk is the son of former NHL player Keith Tkachuk and was born in Scottsdale, Arizona during his father's tenure with the Phoenix Coyotes. He was raised in the St. Louis suburb of Creve Coeur, Missouri, after his father's 2001 trade to the Blues.[32][33][34] His older brother, Matthew, is an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers, and his younger sister, Taryn, is an NCAA Division I field hockey player with the University of Virginia.[35] Both Tkachuk brothers attended the former Oak Hill School at Villa Duchesne[36] and Chaminade College Preparatory School.[37]

Tkachuk is of Ukrainian descent on both his maternal and paternal sides; the surname "Tkachuk" translates to weaver in Ukrainian.[38][39] He is also of Irish ancestry on his paternal side.[39]

The Tkachuk family has been referred to as one branch of "a giant hockey family tree" and Tkachuk is related to several other current and former NHL players and league industry members through both his father's family, originally from Medford, Massachusetts, and his mother's family, originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba.[40] Tkachuk is a second cousin of former NHL player and current General Manager of the New Jersey Devils, Tom Fitzgerald, as well as a second cousin once-removed to Casey Fitzgerald and Casey's brother, Ryan, who plays in the AHL. He is also a cousin of NHL player Kevin Hayes and his brother, the late Jimmy Hayes. Tkachuk's maternal uncle is NHL player agent Craig Oster, who represents numerous NHL players including Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone and Evgeny Kuznetsov, as well as both Tkachuk and his brother.[41]

Tkachuk married his longtime girlfriend Emma Farinacci in July 2023.[42]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2015–16 U.S. National Development Team USHL 32 4 4 8 36 — — — — —
2016–17 U.S. National Development Team USHL 24 12 11 23 73 — — — — —
2017–18 Boston University HE 40 8 23 31 61 — — — — —
2018–19 Ottawa Senators NHL 71 22 23 45 75 — — — — —
2019–20 Ottawa Senators NHL 71 21 23 44 106 — — — — —
2020–21 Ottawa Senators NHL 56 17 19 36 69 — — — — —
2021–22 Ottawa Senators NHL 79 30 37 67 117 — — — — —
2022–23 Ottawa Senators NHL 82 35 48 83 126 — — — — —
NHL totals 359 125 150 275 493 — — — — —

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2015 United States U17 6th 5 2 3 5 4
2017 United States U18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 1 6 7 12
2018 United States WJC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 7 3 6 9 2
Junior totals 19 6 15 21 18

Awards and honors

Award Year Ref
College
All-Hockey East Rookie Team 2018 [5]
NHL
NHL All-Rookie Team 2019 [43]
NHL All-Star Game 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024

References

  1. ^ Egan, Kelly (December 29, 2021). "Brady Tkachuk's 'rollercoaster' ride: from A to C, 7 years for No. 7". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  2. ^ Dilks, Chris (May 12, 2015). "Brady Tkachuk Commits to Boston University". SB Nation College Hockey. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  3. ^ Rodriguez, Miguel. "Brady Tkachuk making name for himself with U.S. Junior Team". Buffalo News. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  4. ^ "Six Terriers Earn Hockey East Year-End Honors". goterriers.com. March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Hockey East announces All-Star Teams, All-Rookie Team, seven individual awards". uscho.com. March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  6. ^ Morreale, Mike G. (April 16, 2018). "Svechnikov stays No. 1 in Central Scouting final rankings". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  7. ^ "Senators sign Brady Tkachuk to entry-level contract". National Hockey League. August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  8. ^ "Senators sign Brady Tkachuk to entry-level deal". Sportsnet. August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  9. ^ Benjamin, Amalie (October 8, 2018). "Tkachuk savors debut with Senators against Bruins". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  10. ^ Schuller, Rudi (October 10, 2018). "Senators rookie Brady Tkachuk scores first NHL goals". The Sporting News. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  11. ^ "Tkachuk out one month for Senators". National Hockey League. October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  12. ^ Medaglia, Craig (November 8, 2018). "Game Day Notes: Sens vs. Golden Knights". National Hockey League. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  13. ^ Wallace, Lisa (March 28, 2019). "Tkachuk ties two records in a losing cause as Senators fall against Panthers". North Shore News. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  14. ^ Obernauer, Michael (October 5, 2019). "Game Day: Georgie Jumps In as Rangers Hit the Road". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  15. ^ "Sens add Tkachuk as fifth alternate captain". TSN. October 14, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  16. ^ "Brady Tkachuk replaces Auston Matthews for NHL All-Star Game due to wrist injury". Global News. January 23, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  17. ^ Spiegel, Jackie (September 22, 2021). "Brady Tkachuk, Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes remain 2021-22 NHL RFAs unsigned". The Sporting News. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  18. ^ "Tkachuk signs seven-year, $57.5 million contract with Senators". NHL.com. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  19. ^ "Senators name Brady Tkachuk 10th team captain in franchise history". National Hockey League. November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  20. ^ "Senators' Tkachuk calls Kings' Lemieux 'gutless' after bite in scrum". Sportsnet. November 27, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  21. ^ Gretz, Adam (November 30, 2021). "Kings' Brendan Lemieux suspended 5 games for biting Senators' Brady Tkachuk". NBC Sports. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  22. ^ Tidcombe, Matt (December 11, 2021). "Tkachuk scores hat-trick as Sens beat Bolts". Ottawa Senators. Retrieved February 22, 2023 – via NHL.com.
  23. ^ D'Amours, Tristan (April 5, 2022). "Tkachuk's 3-point game helps Senators avoid season series sweep against Canadiens". CBC Sports. The Canadian Press. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  24. ^ Luszczyszyn, Dom; Goldman, Shayna (September 24, 2022). "Ottawa Senators 2022-23 season preview: Playoff chances, projected points, roster rankings". The Athletic. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  25. ^ "Senators' Norris suffers apparent upper-body injury vs. Coyotes, will undergo MRI". Sportsnet. October 22, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  26. ^ Mendes, Ian (January 28, 2023). "Josh Norris' injury gives Senators unwanted — but interesting — look at Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk as linemates". The Athletic. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  27. ^ Warren, Ken (December 2, 2022). "Aye, Captain: Brady Tkachuk carries spirited Ottawa Senators team to comeback victory against New York Rangers". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  28. ^ Garrioch, Bruce (February 5, 2023). "Garrioch: The Tkachuk family has an all-star weekend to remember in South Florida". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  29. ^ Williams, Thomas (February 27, 2023). "Senators captain Brady Tkachuk talks trash to entire Red Wings bench". Yahoo! Sports Canada. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  30. ^ Desaulniers, Darren (March 27, 2023). "Senators pounce on Panthers in playoff push while Brady wins battle of Tkachuk brothers". CBC Sports. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  31. ^ Campbell, Ken. "2018 WJC: Bronze Winner Tkachuk Will be Huge Part of Team USA in 2019…If He's Not in the NHL". The Hockey News. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  32. ^ Anderson, Kirsten. "Brotherly love at the 2018 NHL Draft". The Calgary Sun. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  33. ^ Hurley, Christopher. "Brady Tkachuk drafted by the Ottawa Senators". Medford Wicked Local. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  34. ^ Keller, Katlyn. "Former Blues forward Keith Tkachuk sells his Creve Coeur home for $1.85 million". St. Louis Business Journal. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  35. ^ "Taryn Tkachuk". Virginia Cavaliers Official Athletic Site. May 25, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  36. ^ "Stuck With The Tkachuks: Chris Weinke Helps Matthew & Brady Run Football Drills" (video). YouTube.com. Sportsnet. June 23, 2020.
  37. ^ Austin, Daniel (February 23, 2019). "Matthew and Brady Tkachuk facing off on opposing hockey teams for first time". Calgary Herald. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  38. ^ "Tkachuk Family Helping Matthew Settle In". Calgary Flames. Retrieved February 27, 2019 – via NHL.com.
  39. ^ a b "Lowell Court Officer: 'I Can Honestly Say I've Loved This Job'". The Lowell Sun. October 25, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  40. ^ Shinzawa, Fluto (October 22, 2018). "A Giant Hockey Family Tree With Roots Running Across the NHL Grows in Charlestown". The Athletic. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  41. ^ McKenzie, Julian (November 15, 2022). "The story of the Matthew Tkachuk-Jonathan Huberdeau trade: 'Are you kidding me?'". The Athletic. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  42. ^ @ehtkachuk (July 24, 2023). "Mr. & Mrs". Retrieved July 24, 2023 – via Instagram.
  43. ^ "NHL announces 2018-19 All-Rookie Team". National Hockey League. June 20, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brady Tkachuk.
Awards and achievements Preceded byShane Bowers Ottawa Senators first round draft pick 2018 Succeeded byJacob Bernard-Docker Sporting positions Preceded byErik Karlsson Ottawa Senators captain 2021–present Incumbent
Current team captains in the National Hockey League
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