“I’m excited to be drafted by such a good organization,” the London Knights forward said. “They have so many great players and now a coaching staff finally and great management. It’s going to be an exciting time. I hope to make the team sooner than later and help the team win.”
Matthew Tkachuk wants to strong-arm his new employers in the most positive way possible.
The newest member of the Calgary Flames wants to force his way onto his new club come fall.
Not only did the Flames land a potential top line winger with the No. 6 overall pick in Matthew Tkachuk, but Calgary also got the No. 1 goaltender they were desperately seeking this off-season, acquiring Brian Elliott in a trade with the St. Louis Blues.
It was around the time Matthew Tkachuk turned 8 when a prospect from the St. Louis Blues, Lee Stempniak, moved into the family household. Stempniak was from Buffalo, had played college hockey at Dartmouth College, and Tkachuk’s father, Keith, wanted to help the first-year player make the transition to professional hockey.
The dreams were so much simpler then, Matthew Tkachuk recalls. Back then, he, Logan Brown, Clayton Keller and Luke Kunin were four kids playing youth hockey for the AAA Blues at Hardee’s Iceplex in Chesterfield.
It was around the time Matthew Tkachuk turned 8 when a prospect from the St. Louis Blues, Lee Stempniak, moved into the family household. Stempniak was from Buffalo, had played college hockey at Dartmouth College, and Tkachuk’s father, Keith, wanted to help the first-year player make the transition to professional hockey.
When the draft begins Friday night in Buffalo, get ready to hear a lot about players from St. Louis with at least four potential first-rounders from here in Matthew Tkachuk, Swansea’s Clayton Keller, Logan Brown and Luke Kunin.
Matthew Tkachuk was one of the most talented prospects available for the 2013 OHL Draft, but slipped down to the perennial contending Knights due to fears over his steadfast commitment to Notre Dame’s hockey program.
And, well, you answered pretty directly: with the fourth spot on our board, it’s London Knights winger Matthew Tkachuk. We know that you probably voted for him because his Twitter username is @TKACHUKycheese_, but he’s a hockey player too OK?
“People want winners and I was fortunate enough to be on a winning team,” Tkachuk said. “I think a lot of people like that.”
