Matthew Tkachuk officially de-commits from Notre Dame

2016 NHL Draft Eligible Matthew Tkachuk will not be going to Notre Dame next season.

The 6'1", 188 lbs USNTDP forward, who has 29 points (13G-16A) in 22 games, confirmed Friday to SB Nation College Hockey reports that he had de-committed from the Fighting Irish.

"Nothing against them. It's a great school and I like a lot of things about them," Tkachuk said after a 3 point (1G-2A) night in a 5-4 overtime exhibition win against Minnesota. "It's just right now I'm trying to focus on hockey, and get better at hockey and try to win U-18 Worlds."

Tkachuk, the son of NHL legend Keith Tkachuk, verbally committed to Notre Dame in January 2013.

Where he goes next remains unseen for now. London holds Tkachuk's OHL rights, having drafted him 64th overall in 2013. While the St. Louis native wouldn't confirm he would go to the OHL,  Tkachuk, who doesn't turn 17 until December 11, hasn't looked at other colleges.

"I'll look at schools over the summer after the season," he said.

If he does re-open his search and take the college route it would be for 2015-16 season. Tkachuk was planning on accelerating his education prior to the 2016 NHL Draft. Even with today's de-commitment that plan hasn't changed.

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Nathan Wells is a college hockey columnist for SB Nation. You can also follow him on Twitter -- Follow @gopherstate