Brayden Yager

Brayden Trevor Yager (born January 3, 2005) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL) 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.

Early life Yager was born on January 3, 2005, 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).

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Yager also received the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year across the WHL.

Yager returned to the Warriors for the 2022–23 season where he was named an alternate captain. 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. Yager's production helped the Warriors finish fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 37–24–4–3 record. Ahead of the 2023 NHL entry draft, Yager was ranked fourth among all skaters by The Sports Network's Director of Scouting Craig Button. He was eventually selected in the first round, 14th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins. 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. 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. He was named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team for the tournament.

On July 25, 2024, Yager signed his first professional contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, signing a three-year, entry-level deal. On August 22, 2024, Yager was traded by the Penguins to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for the signing rights to prospect Rutger McGroarty.

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.

International play

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

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2022 Canada HG18 5 5 4 9 0 2024 Canada WJC 5th 5 2 3 5 2 2025 Canada WJC 5th 5 0 3 3 0Junior totals 15 7 10 17 2

Awards and honours Award YearCHL CHL Rookie of the Year 2022 CHL Sportsman of the Year 2024 Memorial Cup All-Star Team 2024 WHL Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy 2022 Brad Hornung Trophy 2023, 2024 Ed Chynoweth Cup champion 2024