Last September, Carter Yakemchuk came within a whisker of cracking the Ottawa Senators roster. Selected seventh overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the then 18-year-old defenseman turned heads during training camp, registering two goals, five assists in only four preseason games – with one of those two tallies being a game-winning highlight reel overtime marker in Toronto versus the Maple Leafs.
On the Coming in Hot podcast, Senators general manager Steve Staios said recently that the decision was “strategic” to return Yakemchuk to junior. Continuing development was key for the young blueliner. Despite missing 12 games due to injury, the native of Fort McMurray, AB, netted 17 goals, adding 42 assists in 56 outings, posting another seven (two goals, five assists) in 11 postseason games.
Armed with a booming slapshot, Yakemchuk set a Hitmen d-man franchise high 30 goals the previous campaign in 2023-24, and it was the expectation that the 6’3″, 209-pounder would be named to Canada’s World Junior roster. To say Yakemchuk and the Senators organization were disappointed with Hockey Canada’s decision was an understatement, but he didn’t allow it to affect his play.
“I think he had a very good year for him in developing, and also talk about adversity and the World Junior event happens, and he’s not part of it, along with a handful of others that I won’t go there. I think I made my statement back at the time, but for the young player, him having to deal with that, I don’t think is the worst thing in the world. It really stung him, and we weren’t happy about it. But these are the moments in time where you it’s an opportunity for growth, and Carter’s personality is a little bit shy at first. He doesn’t play like that when he’s on the ice. He’s bold and confident, and I think he’s continuing to take steps in the right direction. We’re really excited about seeing him at camp,” noted the Senators GM on the podcast.
Turning 20, September 29, Yakemchuk enters his second training camp, possibly an injury away from making a claim for a roster spot. With right-shot defenseman Nick Jensen’s status unclear to start the 2025-26 campaign, the Senators acquired Jordan Spence from the Los Angeles Kings as a potential replacement. Nik Matinpalo who arrived from Belleville, played a steady 41 games for the Senators while paired with Tyler Kleven, is expected to remain on the third pairing. However, Yakemchuk will have a prime opportunity to stake a claim on the back end as a six-seven D. At worst he sees much-needed development in the Queen City to hone his game under head coach David Bell for a period.
Senators director of player development Sam Gagner recognized Yakemchuk is ready for the pro game as he spoke to assembled media post-practice, as players prepare for the Prospects Challenge being played in Montreal this coming weekend.
“He’s got pro attributes. I think he looks great by my eye. And, you know, he kind of seems like a man amongst boys in a situation like this. I’m excited to see him once the games get started. But yeah, he looks great. And, yeah, obviously, as we go through camp here, rookie camp to main camp, there’s another level. And I think he’s just going to continue to progress,” Gagner said.
“I think it’s, it’s a completely different game. At the NHL level, there’s obviously a lot more pace, a lot more physicality, but I think that the way he plays kind of lends itself to the pro game. He had a great camp last year. We’re excited to see him again, and hopefully continues to take those steps.”
A concern not only for Yakemchuk, but for all d-men making the jump from junior hockey to the pro game is learning to play defense at a higher level. Gagner displays confidence in Yakemchuk.
“I think it’s just continually building habits, continually getting stronger, which I think he’s done, like I said, it’s a different level. There’s different pace. And reps are important. Getting that experience, getting those reps. He got some last year, and then he’s going to get more this year. So it’s, it’s a matter of him adapting and finding another level. And yeah, we’re excited by what we see so far, and hoping that there’s more, more to get to.”
For his part, a man of few words, the soft-spoken Yakemchuk feels more at ease and is ready for his second Senators training camp, “I mean, obviously feel more comfortable being my second camp. So that’s probably the biggest thing, just more comfortable with all the guys and all the staff here. Just control what I can control, my work ethic, how dedicated I am every day, and everything else is kind of out of my control…Last year, the whole camp for me was really an eye-opener. So I learned a lot of things from all the guys here. And I can take that into this year. I think just how hard guys work day in, day out, to maintain their bodies and to be to be ready to perform the best they can every single day.”
Adding 10 pounds to his frame this summer, Yakemchuk spent his past few weeks working out in Calgary with a group that included Seattle Kraken Jordan Eberle.
A mainly offensive defenseman, Yakemchuk continues to take steps to improve on his defensive side of the puck. And for him to make the jump to the NHL, Yakemchuk believes he’s doing just this.
“I think my coaching staff last year in Calgary really had an emphasis on my defense, and I think that was a big area they wanted me to focus on, got lots of film with them. I think they really helped me a lot. As soon as (Senators) camp starts, we’ll be watching film and just in practice, all the reps I take playing defense.”
Senators youngsters face the Maple Leafs Saturday at 1 pm, concluding with a 7 pm game Sunday versus the Winnipeg Jets.
