Brady Tkachuk knew exactly what was coming when he stepped onto the ice in Ottawa on October 21 — and the former Senators captain leaned into every second of it. In his first game back as a member of the Florida Panthers since requesting a trade last spring, Tkachuk was booed relentlessly and answered with a power-play goal that silenced the building, briefly.
Brady Tkachuk (Credits: ESPN)
Booed from the first skate
The hostility started before puck drop. Tkachuk heard jeers the moment his skates touched the ice for warmups, and the chorus only grew when he was announced in the Panthers’ starting lineup. The Senators played a “Welcome Back, Brady” tribute video during the first TV timeout, but it was nearly drowned out by boos — Tkachuk just smiled and raised his stick to the crowd.
Fans came prepared with creative chants, including “F-You, Brady,” “We Don’t Need You” and “Little brother.” The venom was no surprise given how the split played out: after eight seasons in Ottawa, five as captain, Tkachuk requested a trade and was moved to Florida in a June blockbuster, following a season where his future became a constant distraction.
The last laugh — at least early
On the ice, Tkachuk got the better of the exchange in the opening period. With Florida on a power play after a trip by Artem Zub, Tkachuk worked his way to the front of the net, took a pass from his brother Matthew, and chipped it home for a 1-0 lead. The Senators answered through Tim Stutzle, and the game was tied 1-1 at the first break.
The edge never left the night: Tkachuk jawed with Stutzle after his goal, tangled with former teammate Shane Pinto, and took a trip to the penalty box. The Senators eventually pulled ahead, leading 3-1 in the third period as the night wore on.
Whatever the final result, the night belonged to the narrative — a franchise captain returning to a fanbase that felt burned, and a player who seemed to relish every boo.
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Source: ESPN — read the full story there.
