TORONTO -- Brady Tkachuk is determined to secure a roster spot with the Ottawa Senators on opening night.
"My only focus right now is making Ottawa and staying there for the whole year, so I hope that day never comes where I have to think about that question (of where else to play) because I'll be working so hard that I don't want it to happen," Tkachuk told NHL.com at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase on Sunday.
Tkachuk, who was selected by the Senators with the No. 4 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, opted to sign a three-year, entry-level contract on Aug. 13 instead of returning to Boston University.
If he does not make the Senators out of training camp, Tkachuk, who will turn 19 on Sept. 16, could play with Belleville of the American Hockey League or with London of the Ontario Hockey League.
"To be honest, I haven't thought about that," Tkachuk said when asked which he felt could be better for his development.
Tkachuk, who had 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists) in 40 games for Boston University last season, admitted that it was a difficult choice to leave after his freshman season. To help with the decision, he sought advice from his father, U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame forward Keith Tkachuk, and his brother, Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk.
"The coaching staff, the school, it made it really hard to leave, but Ottawa is such a great opportunity," Tkachuk said. "For me, I feel like I've taken a lot of steps forward this summer. I feel like I've gotten stronger. I just feel so much better about myself."
Tkachuk also said that David Quinn, who was coach at Boston University, leaving this summer to become coach of the New York Rangers did not play a role in opting to sign with Ottawa.
"No, it didn't. Albie O'Connell's the new coach and I was super excited to hear he was the new head coach," Tkachuk said. "He's been nothing but great to me (as an associate coach) and it had no affect because I knew BU would be in good hands. It was a tough decision because it's a place I'm familiar with and really loved, but at the end of the day, this is my dream. It's something I've worked for my whole life. I thought this was the right time to try to step in and make an impact."
In June, Senators coach Guy Boucher said that he considers the roster "wide open" and that he would like to see the "greatest number of young guys making the team."
"It's definitely nice to hear but you still have to prove it," Tkachuk said. "I'm definitely confident in my abilities and it's not going to be easy, but I feel like I'm ready for it. There's a lot of opportunity there, so I think that was a big thing for me. I just thought it was the right time too because I feel like I'm physically and mentally ready and everybody in my family thought so, too. I'm super close to fulfilling my dream so I think nothing's going to stop me. I'm going to work my hardest and do what I need to try to get that roster spot."
Similar to his dad, Keith, and brother, Matthew, Tkachuk (6-foot-3, 196 pounds) said he enjoys combining a rugged, physical style to his offensive ability. But his biggest adjustment will be preparing himself to play a full 82-game NHL season; he hasn't played more than 40 games in either of the past three seasons with Boston University or as a member of the USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Under-17 and 18 teams.
"It's going to be different, for sure, at the start," Tkachuk said. "College is 30-40 games, but I feel like I'm strong and will be able to hold that grind that comes with it and really thrive and be an impactful player on the ice. It's going to be different, but I'm going to learn along the way. This year is all about just getting better throughout the year and to keep improving in all aspects of my game."
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