There were plenty of factors pulling Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk south to play in Sunrise, Fla.

There was the opportunity to play with his brother Matthew, potential tax savings that with proper planning could amount to about $1 million per year and, of course, the contrast in winter weather — an average high of -5 C in January in Ottawa versus 25 C in south Florida.

LILLEY: Anti-American sentiment helped push Brady Tkachuk out of Ottawa Back to video

But there was another factor some people in Ottawa don’t want to admit: Anti-American sentiment helped push Tkachuk out of the city.

More behind move than money, sunshine

Born in Scottsdale, Ariz., and raised in St. Louis, Mo., Tkachuk is a proud American — as he should be. Yes, his mother Chantal is from Winnipeg, where his dad Keith played for the Jets, and he has deep Canadian connections, but this young man bleeds the red, white and blue.

For most of his eight seasons with the Senators, including six as........

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