Don't be fooled, though. Tkachuk, who clocks in at 6-foot-3 and 193 pounds, can be a playmaker and a dominant force on the ice.
"He's also got a significant skill level," MacDonald said. "He brings size to the table and is a high-compete guy. He's strong on the puck, strong on the wall and can dominate down low. He's a real tough guy for defenders to handle."
As his last name insinuates, Tkachuk has strong hockey bloodlines. His father, Keith, is one of the top American-born players in NHL history, having recorded 1,065 points (538g, 527a) in 1,201 games over 19 seasons. Brady's brother, Matthew, has completed two seasons with the Calgary Flames, logging 97 points (37g, 60a) in 144 games.
Keith was selected 19th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 1990. Matthew was picked 6th overall by Calgary in 2016. Brady has the potential to be a top-five pick in Dallas.
"He's a very smart player," MacDonald said. "He always plays with energy and maximum effort."
Tkachuk completed his freshman year at Boston University in 2017-18. He led the team in assists (23) and ranked fourth in scoring (31 points) as the youngest player on the team. He helped the team capture the Hockey East title and was named to the All-Rookie Team.
"He didn't score as much probably as he would have liked in college this year, but his point totals were good," MacDonald said.
A product of the United States National Team Development Program, Tkachuk has medaled twice in the last two years of international tournament play. He captained Team USA to a gold medal at the 2017 IIHF U-18 World Championship with seven points and a team-high six assists in seven games.
At the 2018 World Junior Championship, Tkachuk recorded nine points (3g, 6a) in seven games, just two off the tournament lead, as Team USA captured a bronze medal. Tkachuk commanded the spotlight in that tournament in the Team USA-Team Canada outdoors tilt, in which he tied the game at three in the third period and scored a shootout goal to lift the Americans to a
4-3 victory
.
"At the World Juniors, he was an impact player and a dominant player at times," MacDonald said.
Now, Tkachuk will await to hear his name called on stage at American Airlines Center in Dallas on June 22.
