Timeline: Highs and lows of Brady Tkachuk's tenure with the Ottawa Senators

Ottawa Senators' Brady Tkachuk (7) embraces goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) after their team was eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes at the end of the third period of first-round Game 4 NHL playoff hockey action in Ottawa, on Saturday, April 25, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

OTTAWA — Brady Tkachuk arrived in Ottawa as the fourth overall pick in 2018 and grew into the face of the franchise as captain during a lengthy rebuild.

Here are some of the key moments from his eight seasons with the Senators before his trade to Florida on Sunday:

June 22, 2018 — The Senators selected Brady Tkachuk fourth overall in the NHL draft, making the Boston University forward the highest-drafted member of the Tkachuk family and a central piece of Ottawa’s rebuild.

Oct. 10, 2018 — Tkachuk scored his first NHL goal in his home debut at Canadian Tire Centre, finishing with two goals and an assist in a 7-4 loss to Philadelphia.

Oct. 14, 2021 — After missing training camp in a contract dispute, Tkachuk signed a seven-year, US$57.5-million contract with Ottawa hours before the club’s home opener.

Nov. 5, 2021 — The Senators named Tkachuk the 10th captain in franchise history and the youngest captain the franchise had ever appointed at age 22.

Nov. 4, 2023 — Tkachuk criticized Senators fans for booing during a 6-4 loss to Tampa Bay, saying the “constant booing” and “negativity” were frustrating while the team was struggling. Two days later, head coach D.J. Smith defended his captain, saying Tkachuk “loves Ottawa” and “loves the fans.”

Feb. 15, 2025 — Tkachuk and brother Matthew helped spark a heated Canada-U.S. rivalry game at the 4 Nations Face-Off, with three fights breaking out in the opening nine seconds before the Americans beat Canada 3-1 in Montreal.

Feb. 20, 2025 — Tkachuk scored for the United States in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off, but Canada earned a 3-2 overtime victory on Connor McDavid’s winner.

April 20, 2025 — Tkachuk made his NHL playoff debut against Toronto, finally reaching the post-season after seven seasons and 512 regular-season games with Ottawa.

May 1, 2025 — Ottawa’s season ended with a first-round playoff loss to Toronto in six games. An emotional Tkachuk called the defeat “devastating” after waiting years for his first taste of playoff hockey.

Feb. 22, 2026 — Tkachuk helped the United States capture Olympic gold in Milan-Cortina, defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime for the Americans’ first men’s hockey gold medal since 1980.

Feb. 26, 2026 — Days after winning Olympic gold, Tkachuk publicly criticized a White House TikTok video that used AI-generated content to make it appear he was mocking Canadians, calling the video “clearly fake.”

April 29, 2026 — Following Ottawa’s first-round playoff exit, Tkachuk pushed back against speculation about his future, saying he remained fully committed to the Senators and the city.

June 21, 2026 — The Senators traded Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers in exchange for the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft, a second-round pick in 2027 and a conditional first-round pick in 2029. The move ends Tkachuk’s eight-year tenure with the Senators and reunites him with his brother Matthew.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2026.