Brayden Yager

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Brayden Yager

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2005|1|3}}

| birth_place = Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 0

| weight_lb = 170

| position = Centre

| shoots = Right

| league = NHL

| team = Winnipeg Jets

| prospect_league = WHL

| prospect_team = Lethbridge Hurricanes

| ntl_team =

| draft = 14th overall

| draft_year = 2023

| draft_team = Pittsburgh Penguins

| career_start =

}}

Brayden Trevor Yager (born January 3, 2005) is a Canadian junior ice hockey player for the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League (WHL) as a prospect to the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 14th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2023 NHL entry draft. He was traded to the Lethbridge Hurricanes on December 2, 2024.

Early life

Yager was born on January 3, 2005,{{cite web |title=Brayden Yager |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/565757/brayden-yager |publisher=Elite Prospects |access-date=July 30, 2023}} 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 (SMAAAHL).{{cite web |last1=Crechiolo |first1=Michelle |title=Making Every Moment Together Count |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/making-every-moment-together-count-brayden-yager-family/c-345251914 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=July 30, 2023 |date=July 6, 2023}}

Playing career

=Early years=

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. He improved during the 2018–19 season by accumulating 44 goals and 59 assists for 103 points through 31 games.{{cite web |title=DRAFT: Brayden Yager selected 3rd overall |url=https://mjwarriors.ca/article/draft-brayden-yager-selected-3rd-overall |publisher=Moose Jaw Warriors |access-date=July 30, 2023 |date=April 22, 2020}} 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. 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.{{cite web |last1=Silliphant |first1=Craig |title=Saskatoon duo ready to hear their names called during WHL Bantam Draft |url=https://www.ckom.com/2020/04/21/saskatoon-duo-ready-to-hear-their-names-called-during-wed-whl-bantam-draft/ |publisher=CKOM |access-date=July 30, 2023 |date=April 21, 2020}} He continued to impress during that year's playoffs, as he led the Contacts in scoring with two goals and six assists for and eight points through six games.

=Junior=

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Yager was drafted third overall in the 2020 Western Hockey League (WHL) Bantam Draft by the Moose Jaw Warriors. Due to the foregoing 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.{{cite news |last1=Vanstone |first1=Rob |title=Moose Jaw Warriors' Brayden Yager excels on and off the ice |url=https://leaderpost.com/sports/hockey/regina-pats/moose-jaw-warriors-brayden-yager-excels-on-and-off-the-ice |access-date=July 30, 2023 |newspaper=Regina Leader Post |date=October 8, 2021}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Vanstone |first1=Rob |title=Moose Jaw Warriors' Brayden Yager feels right at home in Saskatoon |url=https://leaderpost.com/sports/hockey/moose-jaw-warriors-brayden-yager-feels-right-at-home-in-saskatoon |access-date=July 30, 2023 |newspaper=Regina Leader Post |date=April 26, 2022}} As a result of his exceptional play, Yager became the first Moose Jaw player to receive the Canadian Hockey League (CHL)'s Rookie of the Year award.{{cite web |last1=Davenport |first1=Cole |title=Warriors' Brayden Yager named Canadian Hockey League's top rookie |url=https://regina.ctvnews.ca/warriors-brayden-yager-named-canadian-hockey-league-s-top-rookie-1.5967292 |work=CTV News |access-date=July 30, 2023 |date=June 28, 2022}} Yager also received the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year across the WHL.{{cite web |title=Warriors forward Yager wins Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as 2021-22 WHL Rookie of the Year |url=https://whl.ca/article/warriors-forward-yager-wins-jim-piggott-memorial-trophy-as-2021-22-whl-rookie-of-the-year |publisher=Moose Jaw Warriors |access-date=July 30, 2023 |date=June 1, 2022}}

Yager returned to the Warriors for the 2022–23 season where he was named an alternate captain.{{cite web |title=Yager named recipient of Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy as WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player for 2022-23 |url=https://mjwarriors.ca/article/mateychuk-named-35th-captain-in-warriors-history |publisher=Moose Jaw Warriors |access-date=July 30, 2023 |date=May 4, 2023}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-select-brayden-yager-with-the-14th-selection-in-2023-nhl-draft/c-345080342 |title=Penguins Select Brayden Yager with the 14th Selection in 2023 NHL Draft |website=NHL.com |date=June 28, 2023 |access-date=June 28, 2023}} Yager's production helped the Warriors finish fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 37–24–4–3 record. At the conclusion of the season, Yager received the Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy as the league's Most Sportsmanlike Player.{{cite web |title=Yager named recipient of Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy as WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player for 2022-23 |url=https://whl.ca/video/yager-named-recipient-of-brad-hornung-memorial-trophy-as-whl-most-sportsmanlike-player-for-2022-23 |publisher=Moose Jaw Warriors |access-date=July 30, 2023 |date=May 4, 2023}} Ahead of the 2023 NHL entry draft, Yager was ranked fourth among all skaters by The Sports Network's Director of Scouting Craig Button.{{cite web |last1=Palmer |first1=Randy |title=With NHL Draft on horizon, Warriors' Yager looking forward to an impressive season |url=https://www.moosejawtoday.com/local-news/with-nhl-draft-on-horizon-warriors-yager-looking-forward-to-an-impressive-season-5859091 |website=MooseJawToday.com |access-date=July 30, 2023 |date=September 22, 2022}} He was eventually selected in the first round, 14th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In the 2023–24 season, Yager played 57 games, managing 35 goals and 60 assists while accruing only 20 penalty minutes. He earned the Hornung Trophy for the second consecutive season, and was ultimately named CHL Sportsman of the Year.{{cite web |last1=Palmer |first1=Randy |title=Warriors' Yager named CHL Top Sportsman for second straight year |url=https://www.moosejawtoday.com/local-news/warriors-yager-named-chl-top-sportsman-for-second-straight-year-8940860 |website=MooseJawToday.com |date=June 1, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024 }}{{cite web |last1=Séguin |first1=Christopher |title=Jagger Firkus named Player of the Year as the best & brightest from the CHL are recognized at the 2024 CHL Awards |url=https://chl.ca/article/jagger-firkus-named-player-of-the-year-as-the-best-brightest-from-the-chl-are-recognized-at-the-2024-chl-awards/ |website=CHL.ca |date=June 1, 2024 |access-date= June 2, 2024}} Yager played a key role in the Warriors' deep run in the 2024 playoffs, which saw them defeat the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL Finals to hoist the Ed Chynoweth Cup. He had 11 goals and 16 assists in the postseason, third in team scoring.{{cite web |last1=Horwat |first1=Nick |title=Penguins Prospect Leads Team to Memorial Cup |url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/pittsburgh-penguins-brayden-yager-leads-moose-jaw-warriors-memorial-cup |magazine=The Hockey News |date=May 16, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024}} As WHL champions, the Warriors went on to participate in the 2024 Memorial Cup. They were ultimately eliminated by the host Saginaw Spirit in the tournament semi-final. Yager had three goals and three assists in four games played.{{cite web |last1=Horwat |first1=Nick |title=Penguins Top Prospect Wins Coveted CHL Award |url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/pittsburgh-penguins-brayden-yager-wins-coveted-chl-award |magazine=The Hockey News |date=June 2, 2024 |access-date=June 2, 2024}} He was named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team for the tournament.{{Cite web|title=Spirit win their first-ever CHL championship title by defeating the Knights 4-3 in the final of the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow|url=https://chl.ca/article/spirit-win-their-first-ever-chl-championship-title-by-defeating-the-knights-4-3-in-the-final-of-the-2024-memorial-cup-presented-by-dow/|last=Séguin|first=Christopher|website=CHL.ca|access-date=June 3, 2023|date=June 3, 2023}}

On July 25, 2024, Yager signed his first professional contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, signing a three-year, entry-level deal.{{citeweb| url = https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-sign-brayden-yager-to-a-three-year-entry-level-contract | title = Penguins sign Brayden Yager to a three-year, entry-level contract | publisher = Pittsburgh Penguins | date = July 25, 2024 | accessdate = July 25, 2024 }} On August 22, 2024, Yager was traded by the Penguins to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for the signing rights to prospect Rutger McGroarty.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/winnipeg-trades-rutger-mcgroarty-to-pittsburgh-for-brayden-yager |title=McGroarty traded to Penguins by Jets for Yager |website=NHL.com |date=August 22, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024}}

Yager was traded to the Lethbridge Hurricanes on December 2, 2024 alongside teammate Jackson Unger in exchange for three players and a series of draft picks.{{Cite news |last=Maess |first=Donovan |date=December 2, 2024 |title=Blockbuster WHL trade sees Warriors move captain Brayden Yager to Hurricanes |url=https://regina.ctvnews.ca/blockbuster-whl-trade-sees-warriors-move-captain-brayden-yager-to-hurricanes-1.7130616 |access-date=December 2, 2024 |work=CTV News Regina}}

International play

{{MedalCountry|{{CAN}}}}

As a native of Canada, Yager represented the Canadian men's junior national team at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.{{cite web |last1=Vickers |first1=Aaron |title=Yager among top 2023 draft picks to play for Canada at Hlinka Gretzky Cup |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/canada-roster-for-2022-hlinka-gretzky-cup/c-335093162 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=July 30, 2023 |date=July 25, 2022}} During the tournament, he recorded five goals and four assists through five games to help Team Canada win a gold medal.{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Marc |title=Yager shines bright in Canada's gold medal win |url=https://mjwarriors.ca/article/yager-shines-bright-in-canadas-gold-medal-win |publisher=Moose Jaw Warriors |access-date=July 30, 2023 |date=August 12, 2022}}

Career statistics

=Regular season and playoffs=

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| ! colspan="5" \| Regular season ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| ! colspan="5" \| Playoffs
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM
2020–21 \| Moose Jaw Warriors \| WHL \| 24	7	11	18	4 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2021–22 \| Moose Jaw Warriors \| WHL \| 63	34	25	59	18 \| 10	3	4	7	8
2022–23 \| Moose Jaw Warriors \| WHL \| 67	28	50	78	14 \| 10	6	10	16	2
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2023–24 \| Moose Jaw Warriors \| WHL \| 57	35	60	95	20 \| 20	11	16	27	12
2024–25 \| Moose Jaw Warriors \| WHL \| 21	11	19	30	4 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" \|WHL totals ! 232 !! 115 !! 165 !! 280 !! 60 ! 40 !! 20 !! 30 !! 50 !! 22