Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk is officially set to make his highly anticipated return to the ice, marking a celebratory U.S. Thanksgiving with a hometown game in St. Louis. The power forward confirmed the news himself, ending speculation about his recovery timeline.
Injury Comeback Confirmed
During a recording for the Wingmen podcast, which he hosts with his brother Matthew, Tkachuk announced he has been medically cleared to play. His return is scheduled for Friday afternoon against the St. Louis Blues, as the Senators continue their lengthy road trip. The Ottawa Citizen had previously reported that Tkachuk was targeting this specific date for his comeback.
"I'm feeling great," Tkachuk stated enthusiastically on the podcast. "The no contact jersey is coming off. I'm ready to take some bumps, take some hits and I've got a little battle in me." He outlined the final steps of his recovery, noting he had a couple of demanding 'bag skates' and a few more periods of practice to complete before being fully game-ready.
A Fitting Hometown Stage
The setting for his return could not be more symbolic. Tkachuk will skate back into the lineup at St. Louis's Enterprise Center, the very city where he grew up. His father, Keith Tkachuk, is a former NHL star who spent a significant portion of his celebrated career with the Blues and now works in the team's front office.
The timing aligns perfectly with the holiday, allowing Brady to spend Thanksgiving Day at his family's home in a St. Louis suburb with his mother, Chantal, and father. Adding to the festive atmosphere, Keith and Chantal are hosting a full-team dinner for all Senators players, staff, and trainers on Thursday.
Joining a Winning Momentum
Tkachuk returns to a Senators squad that has been performing well in his absence. He expressed excitement about rejoining the team's positive momentum. "The boys have been playing great. I'm just excited to join them," he said, specifically highlighting the team's strong 2-0 start on their California road trip, a feat he believes is unprecedented for the club.
The game against the Blues will be the fourth contest in Ottawa's seven-game road trip, which is set to conclude next Tuesday in Montreal. For Tkachuk, the return is more than just a personal milestone; it's a chance to contribute to the winning foundation his teammates have built over the past six weeks.
