Named Senators‘ captain back on November 5, like those before him, Erik Karlsson and Daniel Alfredsson, Brady Tkachuk leads by example on and off the ice.
Despite missing the team’s opening three games while working himself into game shape after signing a seven-year, $57.5 million contract on Day One of the Senators’ 2021-22 campaign, all the 22-year old has done is set single-season career marks in goals (26), assists (30), points (56), power-play goals (8), power-play points (13), and of course penalty minutes (113).
Currently sitting at 249 shots on goal, Tkachuk will also assuredly surpass his previous high of 259, recorded in 2019-20.
Selected fourth overall in the 2018 Entry Draft, the St. Louis resident ranks second in his class in total points behind Carolina Hurricane Andrei Svechnikov. And is one of only four players to reach the 100-point plateau to date.
From HockeyDB
Round Num Team GP G A PTS PIM
| 1 | 2 | Carolina | Andrei Svechnikov | R | Barrie Colts [OHL] | 275 | 87 | 117 | 204 | 235 | 2021-22 |
| 1 | 4 | Ottawa | Brady Tkachuk | L | Boston University [H-East] | 267 | 86 | 95 | 181 | 363 | 2021-22 |
| 1 | 1 | Buffalo | Rasmus Dahlin | D | Frolunda HC [SweHL] | 269 | 27 | 124 | 151 | 158 | 2021-22 |
| 1 | 7 | Vancouver | Quinn Hughes | D | U. of Michigan [Big-10] | 196 | 16 | 134 | 150 | 72 | 2021-22 |
Tkachuk has many fans, his head coach D.J. Smith may be his greatest. Smith recognizes how far his captain’s game has progressed during his four-year NHL career.
“The start of the year was tough. He missed training camp. It took him awhile to get going. He’s got the puck on his stick a lot. He’s dangerous. The other team has their best guys against him every single night…Brady has been real good away from the puck. His game has come a long way,” Smith expressed postgame Sunday.
“He can play any style you want really. He can bang. He can make plays. He’s getting really good on the power play in front with low touches. He’s learning to play the game, inside the game. To me, he’s really taken a step forward, the last year or so. We use to see him running around trying to hit guys all the time, taking himself out of position. He’s learning the game so much better. He’s reading the game. He’s really turning into a real NHL power forward.”
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At 6-foot-4, 211 pounds, the left-wing can usually be found in his office in front of the opposition’s net.
“I pride myself on that’s where I feel I’m at my best – in front of the net, causing chaos,” Tkachuk said after a tough 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets Sunday.
Like all great leaders, Tkachuk credits his teammates for his personal success.
“All those plays don’t happen without my teammates getting it there and making good plays around the net – shots, tips. I know there’s a lot of guys that stand their place in front of the net. Some days bounces go your way. I pride myself on my work ethic.”
Off the ice, Tkachuk is quickly becoming a fixture in the Ottawa community. Whether it’s playing street hockey with the neighbourhood kids or willingly giving his time to put a smile on someone’s face, Brady Tkachuk is becoming the perfect face for a franchise that has bright a future.
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