Florida Panthers forward Brady Tkachuk refuted Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer's claim that family influenced his decision to request a trade.
"He's entitled to his opinion, but I know for myself, it was 100% my decision," Tkachuk said Wednesday ahead of his return game in Ottawa, per Sportsnet. "I'm a big boy. I can make decisions for myself and my family. I don't need to be influenced by other people to make decisions. He's entitled to his opinion. I'll leave it there."
Andlauer spoke in September about Tkachuk's decision to leave Ottawa, remarking, "Blood is thicker than water."
"Let's just say that his father and his brother got in his kitchen," Andlauer added, referring to incoming Hall of Fame inductee Keith Tkachuk and Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk. "Ultimately, the decision was made to go and play with his brother. It's a decision that was out of our control to a certain degree. But you have to want to play for Ottawa. And right to the end, our fans were behind Brady, even after Team USA won gold. I have no doubt in my mind."
Tkachuk played eight seasons with the Senators, spending five as captain. He was named the NHL's First Star of the Week after tallying back-to-back hat tricks and nine points in three games last week.
Tkachuk said Tuesday that he would donate any jerseys thrown onto the ice during Wednesday's game to Ottawa's Boys and Girls Club.
