(Calgary) Matthew Tkachuk realized on Tuesday the reality of playing for an opposing team in what has been his home arena for so many seasons.
As the Florida Panthers, the 24-year-old forward returned to the Saddledome in Calgary, where he played his first six NHL seasons with the Flames.
“It was weird. I just got to the arena and it’s just weird going in a different direction,” Tkachuk admitted before Tuesday night’s game in Calgary.
“A lot of beautiful memories here, special moments, he also mentioned. I’m probably only going to realize it when we go on the ice for the warm-up or for the game. I am super stimulated and excited. I wouldn’t say nervous. Restless. I can’t wait for it to start. »
The Flames selected Tkachuk sixth overall in the 2016 draft.
His talent, combined with his ability to disrupt rival players and his boldness on the ice made him a crowd favorite at the Saddledome.
But after amassing a career-high 104 points last year with 42 goals and 62 assists, Tkachuk was destined to become a restricted free agent when he told the Flames he wouldn’t be signing a long-term pact. term to stay with the Alberta team.
Flames general manager Brad Treliving traded Tkachuk to the Panthers in a mega-deal that saw the Alberta side land forward Jonathan Huberdeau, defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, prospect Cole Schwindt and a conditional pick of first round.
Tkachuk was heckled heavily Monday night in Edmonton, where he scored the game’s first goal in the Panthers’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Oilers.
“I was booed last night. Hopefully that won’t be the case tonight, but you never know,” Tkachuk said.
“With all the outside distractions that might be playing a part, I think it might be best that we get through here so quickly, a quick passage through a tough two-game-in-two-night streak. »
Tkachuk faced his former teammates Nov. 19 in Sunrise, Fla., where the Flames won 5-4 in a shootout.
Tkachuk found the back of the net in regulation time in that game while Huberdeau hit the target in the second round of the shootout.
“As the players who ended up here had probably circled the date of the game in Florida on the calendar, it’s the same for me,” admitted Tkachuk.