Brayden Yager

Brayden Yager (born January 3, 2005) is a Canadian ice hockey player for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League (WHL) He was drafted 14th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

Brayden Yager
Born (2005-01-03) January 3, 2005
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Right
WHL team Moose Jaw Warriors
NHL Draft 14th overall, 2023
Pittsburgh Penguins

Early life

Yager was born on January 3, 2005,[1] to parents Cam and Maureen in Saskatchewan, Canada. Although he was raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, the family moved to Saskatoon when he was 11 years old. Yager was born into an athletic family as both his father and older brother played ice hockey. His father was a goaltender for the Detroit Falcons in the Colonial Hockey League while his brother played in the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League.[2]

Playing career

Growing up in Saskatchewan, Yager played bantam hockey with the Martensville Marauders in the Saskatchewan Male U15 League from 2017 to 2019. In his first season with the team, he recorded 35 goals and 24 assists for 59 points through 31 games.[1] He improved during the 2018–19 season by accumulating 44 goals and 59 assists for 103 points through 31 games.[3] Following this, Yager played two seasons with the Saskatoon Contacts in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL) as an underage player. Due to his age, he was required to receive "exceptional player" status to play at 14.[3] In the 2019–20 season, during which he turned 15, he finished third in team scoring with 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points through 44 games.[4] He continued to impress during the SMAAAHL Playoffs, as he led the Contacts in scoring with two goals and six assists for and eight points through six games.[3]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Yager was drafted third overall in the 2020 Western Hockey League (WHL) Bantam Draft by the Moose Jaw Warriors..[3] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Yager was able to make his major junior debut at the age of 15 without gaining "exceptional player" status. This was because the pandemic restricted the options available to players during the winter and spring.[5] In his rookie season, Yager set a new franchise record for 16-year olds by tallying 34 goals through 63 regular season games during the 2021–22 season.[6] As a result of his exceptional play, Yager became the first Moose Jaw player to receive the Canadian Hockey League's Rookie of the Year award.[7] Yager also received the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL's Rookie of the Year.[8]

Yager returned to the Moose Jaw Warriors for his sophomore season where he was named an alternate captain.[9] In this new role, he recorded career highs in points and assists with 78 and 50 respectively. He ranked second on the team in points and 22nd among all WHL players.[10] Yager's production helped the Warriors finish fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 37–24–4–3 record.[6] At the conclusion of the season, Yager received the Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy as WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player for the 2022–23 season.[11] Ahead of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Yager was ranked fourth among all skaters by The Sports Networks Director of Scouting Craig Button.[12] He was eventually drafted in the first round, 14th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins.[10]

International play
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
Hlinka Gretzky Cup
Gold medal – first place2022 Canada

As a native of Canada, Yager represented the Canadian men's junior national team at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.[13] During the tournament, he recorded five goals and four assists through five games to help Team Canada win a gold medal.[14]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2020–21 Moose Jaw Warriors WHL 24711184 —————
2021–22 Moose Jaw Warriors WHL 6334255918 103478
2022–23 Moose Jaw Warriors WHL 6728507814 10610162
WHL totals 154698615536 209142310

International
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2022 Canada HG18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 5 4 9 0
Junior totals 5 5 4 9 0

Awards and honours
Award Year
WHL
CHL Rookie of the Year 2022 [7]
Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy 2022 [8]
Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy 2023 [11]

References
  1. "Brayden Yager". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  2. Crechiolo, Michelle (July 6, 2023). "Making Every Moment Together Count". National Hockey League. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  3. "DRAFT: Brayden Yager selected 3rd overall". Moose Jaw Warriors. April 22, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  4. Silliphant, Craig (April 21, 2020). "Saskatoon duo ready to hear their names called during WHL Bantam Draft". CKOM. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  5. Vanstone, Rob (October 8, 2021). "Moose Jaw Warriors' Brayden Yager excels on and off the ice". Regina Leader Post. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  6. Vanstone, Rob (April 26, 2022). "Moose Jaw Warriors' Brayden Yager feels right at home in Saskatoon". Regina Leader Post. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  7. Davenport, Cole (June 28, 2022). "Warriors' Brayden Yager named Canadian Hockey League's top rookie". CTV News. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  8. "Warriors forward Yager wins Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as 2021-22 WHL Rookie of the Year". Moose Jaw Warriors. June 1, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  9. "Yager named recipient of Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy as WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player for 2022-23". Moose Jaw Warriors. May 4, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  10. "Penguins Select Brayden Yager with the 14th Selection in 2023 NHL Draft". NHL.com. June 28, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  11. "Yager named recipient of Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy as WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player for 2022-23". Moose Jaw Warriors. May 4, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  12. Palmer, Randy (September 22, 2022). "With NHL Draft on horizon, Warriors' Yager looking forward to an impressive season". moosejawtoday.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  13. Vickers, Aaron (July 25, 2022). "Yager among top 2023 draft picks to play for Canada at Hlinka Gretzky Cup". National Hockey League. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  14. Smith, Marc (August 12, 2022). "Yager shines bright in Canada's gold medal win". Moose Jaw Warriors. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
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