Tkachuk, 18, was selected fourth overall by Ottawa in the first round of last month's NHL Draft in Dallas and was the first player ever taken with the fourth selection in Senators' franchise history.

"Brady Tkachuk exemplifies all the attributes around which we want to improve the Ottawa Senators," said Senators general manager Pierre Dorion. "He is a young man of exceptional character. We know how much he agonized over leaving Boston University, and we are encouraged by the degree of accountability and commitment this shows from him. Through tenacity, combativeness and work ethic, he also exemplifies leadership skills that we know will benefit the team now and well into the future. Most of all, Brady has shown us through his maturity that he is coachable, committed to teamwork, and determined to help us strengthen our team chemistry. For all these reasons, he is an exciting young player whose growth and development we are eager to support."

A native of St. Louis, Mo., Tkachuk spent last season with the Boston University Terriers (Hockey East) where he led all team skaters in assists (23) and ranked second in plus/minus rating (+15) while being named to the Hockey East All-Rookie team during his freshman campaign. The 6-3, 192 lb. winger helped the United States to a bronze medal at the 2018 IIHF U20 World Junior Championship in Buffalo, N.Y. by finishing in a tie for fifth in scoring among all tournament scorers (three goals, six assists).

Prior to 2017-18, Tkachuk spent two seasons skating for the U.S. National Team Development Program and also served as captain for the gold medal winning United States team at the 2017 IIHF U18 World Junior Championship in Slovakia, ranking in a tie for first in team assists (six). He joins fellow St. Louis natives Chris Wideman and Logan Brown as members of the Senators organization.

Tkachuk is the son of former NHL forward Keith and the brother of current Calgary Flames winger Matthew.

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