The Ottawa Senators selected Brady Tkachuk with the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.
A product of Boston University and the U.S. national team program, the 6-foot-3, 196-pound winger tallied eight goals and 23 assists in 40 NCAA games last season.
With the 4th pick the #Sens select Brady Tkachuk. #SensDraft pic.twitter.com/tvYVtNFn9e
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) June 23, 2018
Tkachuk is undecided about whether he'll return to the NCAA in the upcoming season. The 18-year-old isn't in a hurry to make a decision, either.
"I’m just looking at the long run. I want to have a long career, so I don’t want to rush anything, but I definitely feel like I can be ready. But that’s a discussion for the next, you know, couple days. I’m going to try to enjoy it this weekend," he said. "But I will probably talk about that on Sunday and throughout [upcoming] the weeks."
Despite the negative headlines generated by the Senators in recent months, Tkachuk said he was "super happy" to be drafted by the organization and brushed off any concerns about the franchise.
"I know it’s run by great management," he said. "I know there’s great guys in the locker room, too. I’m just super excited now to get there for development camp and see what it’s all about and I’m just super excited to be part of this organization."
Tkachuk carries on an NHL bloodline, with his father Keith having played over 1200 games in the league. Older brother Matthew is a member of the Calgary Flames.
NHL Draft grades 2018: Results, analysis for every first-round pick