Brady Tkachuk on return to Ottawa: ‘There’s professional, personal reasons why I wasn’t going to re-sign here’

Ottawa Senators fans have been practicing their boos all offseason for this moment. Wednesday evening will mark Brady Tkachuk’s first game back in Ottawa since requesting and receiving a trade to the Florida Panthers in June.

The fans in Ottawa wil certainly get a chance to make themselves heard when the puck drops on Wednesday night, but Tkachuk was able to share his point of view of on Wednesday afternoon when he spoke to the media.

When asked about his reasons for wanting out of Ottawa, though, Tkachuk remained rather cryptic.

“There’s professional reasons, personal reasons why I wasn’t going to resign here,” he said.

Tkachuk also responded to comments made by Senators owner Michael Andlauer before the season, suggesting that Tkachuk was convinced to request the trade by his brother Matthew, a star winger for the Panthers, and their father Keith, an NHL legend in his own right.

“I saw the quote, and I mean he’s entitled to his opinion,” Tkachuk said. “But I know for myself, it was 100% my decision. I’m a big boy, I can make decisions for myself and my family.”

Tkachuk was also asked if he’s thought about how it will feel to step back onto the ice at Canadian Tire Centre as a member of another team, and how he’ll respond to the likely video tribute the Senators will play at some point.

“I haven’t, because I just know how special it’s going to be for me just to be there in front of the fans that supported me and were there for eight years ever since I got in the league, always supporting me and my family,” he said. “So, just to be out there, I’ve had so many great memories here that I’ll have forever. I don’t know what the exact emotion is going to be, but I just know how thankful and appreciative I am for everything that’s happened the last eight years.”