Matthew Tkachuk: Possible Arizona Coyotes Draft Pick

By William Grigsby |

Matthew Tkachuk Could Become An Arizona Coyote…If Things Fall Just Right

Okay, so the Arizona Coyotes felt grossly disappointed that they didn’t get the lottery ball with Connor McDavid’s name on it for this past NHL Entry Draft. They may get a second chance if things fall into place for them next year at the draft. They must have another terrible season, which doesn’t guarantee them the lottery pick they covet, but it could happen.

Matthew Tkachuk is a “modern day power forward” as described by Basil McCrae, GM of the London Knights team Tkachuk will play for this season. His style of play is much like his father, Keith who played admirably for the Phoenix Coyotes scoring 538 goals in 1,201 games in his career, making him worthy of NHL HOF selection recently.

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“He scores nice goals and makes nice plays, but he’s also kind of a junk-yard dog in front of the net,” McRae says;

Every GM in the league (including our very own Don Maloney) likes skills like that. At 6′ 1″, and 187 pounds, he has the attributes to win the physical battles, brush aside checkers, and still show speed normally possessed by the smaller players.

McRae noticed those skills, and it prompted him to draft Matthew Tkachuk in the fourth round of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection. Matthew seemed destined to join the NCAA ranks at Notre Dame, until McRae convinced him otherwise.

“It just felt right,” Tkachuk said. “I saw a game with 9,000 fans, seeing how much that city loves hockey is only a bonus to having a former NHL coach in Dale Hunter, and just seeing all the NHLers London has produced. I just felt like London would be the best spot to put me in the NHL some day.”

Matthew Tkachuk did pretty well last season with the U.S. National Development Program under-18 team, pumping in 38 goals and 96 points in just 65 games. He played left wing alongside center Auston Matthews. He will, like Matthews be eligible for the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

Matthew Tkachuk’s comments about playing with Auston Matthews, who will more than likely be the first pick in the draft, are classic.

“It was unlike anything I’ve ever done before,” he said. “Playing with a guy that good and that determined was just breathtaking. He’s just so skilled, so smart; his work ethic, above all else, is his biggest attribute.”

The London Knights should still have plenty of talented young prospects to join Matthew Tkachuk this next season. Mitch Marner, drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs may be returning, as will as Arizona Coyotes 2014 second rounder Christian Dvorak. One player who more than likely won’t be there will be Max Domi, who pretty much has a roster spot lined up with the Arizona Coyotes, barring any mishaps.

If the Yotes could land yet another exciting talent like Matthew Tkachuk, things will continue to look bright for the years to come in the desert.

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