Tkaczuk then turned to Milan, the highest paying club in the Italian league, where he enjoyed considerable success, maintaining his preeminence even during the 2004–5 season, when the squad was strengthened by the arrival of NHL players during the NHL lockout. He led Milan in goals (23), assists (33) and points (56) during the regular season and playoffs, good enough for third place overall in Serie A scoring. Thanks to those solid numbers, Tkaczuk was one of three Milan players, along with defenceman Marc Savard and veteran forward Ryan Savoia, named to Team Canada's roster for the 2004 Loto Cup in Slovakia. Milan went on to win the national title, their fourth in a row, defeating Cortina in the finals.