As the hockey summer rolls on, anticipation is building for the Ottawa Senators` training camp, where one of the most discussed topics will likely be the NHL readiness of prospect Carter Yakemchuk.
Yakemchuk himself has a clear goal: “My goal is to make the opening roster. That`s what I want to do,” he stated.
Speaking from the Canadian Tire Centre, the often reserved Yakemchuk expressed feeling more comfortable and confident interacting with the media and the fan base compared to when he first started his NHL journey last year.
The Senators selected the sizable six-foot-four defenseman seventh overall in the 2024 draft, drawn to his impressive hands, aggressive style, and the fact he`s a right-shot blueliner, a perpetual need for the team.
However, the past season was eventful for Yakemchuk, featuring moments like a spectacular pre-season goal that hinted at a quick jump to the NHL, followed by not receiving an invitation to Canada`s World Junior selection camp, even with Ottawa hosting the tournament. Overall, he had a somewhat inconsistent season with the Calgary Hitmen in junior hockey.
Yakemchuk recently returned to Ottawa for the Senators` development camp. He reflected on his progress, noting, “I feel like I`ve come a long way, trying to round out my game to be an NHL defenseman one day.”
When Yakemchuk first joined the Senators for training camp last September, expectations were low. Any strong performances were seen as a bonus. But he quickly turned heads by scoring a highlight-reel goal against the Maple Leafs in his first pre-season game. While he was flooded with messages afterwards, he mentioned he hasn`t rewatched the goal, adding, “My friends showed me the video (at the time) and they thought it was pretty awesome.”
At the recent development camp, Yakemchuk again displayed his skill, pulling off a flashy goal with a between-the-legs move that went bar-down. He chuckled about the play, saying he doesn`t specifically practice it and probably wouldn`t attempt it in a game, highlighting his undeniable talent.
Yakemchuk described last year`s training camp as an “eye opener” in terms of adjusting to the NHL`s speed and skill level. He received valuable “little pointers” from veteran defenseman Thomas Chabot during the camp. Ultimately, the Senators determined that despite his flashes of skill, the 19-year-old would benefit from further development in junior hockey.
Andrew Gordon, a Senators scout and the head of development camp, commented on the areas Yakemchuk needs to work on. Gordon stated, “When the puck`s on Yakemchuk`s stick, there`s no question what he can do. I think that`s always going to be his strength.” He explained that the focus is on strengthening other parts of his game, including competing in the corners, defensive play against rushes, improving his skating, and refining his gap control, among other fundamentals.
It`s clear Yakemchuk has a favorite end of the ice. He admitted, “It`s a lot more fun to go out there and shoot than (to) go out there and defend one on one in the corners.”
Interestingly, Yakemchuk, who grew up as an Edmonton Oilers fan in Calgary, bases his game on that of a highly-regarded defenseman from his former favorite team, Evan Bouchard. He explained, “I really liked (Evan) Bouchard, just the way he plays his game, and how he contributes in the offensive zone and makes plays. And, obviously, he does a great job of scoring goals.”
Tristan Blackwood