Latest news with #BraydenYager
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Winnipeg Jets Top 10 Prospect Rankings Features Yager, Lamber and More
The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features. Subscribe now to view the full THN Archives here Also, go to to subscribe. ROADBLOCKS AREN'T JUST A fixture during Winnipeg summers, they also exist during the Jets' season. Given the team's title aspirations and veteran-laden lineup, serious obstacles stand in the way of youth seeking to break through. But Jets director of player development Jimmy Roy sees it as a positive if Winnipeg's top prospects hunger to take minutes off of established big-league talent. 'Any young player, you want to be in the NHL right now, and if you don't compare yourself to those players that are there, then you're far off,' Roy said. 'That's what you need to do with your mindset.' 1 BRAYDEN YAGER C, 20, 6-0, 170 Lethbridge (WHL) Trade (Pit), Aug. 22, 2024 OVERALL 23 Wearing the 'C' at the WJC was a signifier of Yager's experience but also came with expectations: he was to be relied upon for offense. Despite logging the second-most ice time among Canadian forwards, though, he had just three points in five WJC games. But the Jets believe it's only a blip for Yager, who was acquired from Pittsburgh in a swap for Rutger McGroarty. Yager's gifts have long been apparent, and Winnipeg is high on his ability to find open ice and create space. 2 BRAD LAMBERT C, 21, 6-2, 180 Manitoba (AHL) 2022 draft, 30th overall OVERALL 78 After Lambert had 55 points in the AHL last season, his decline in production will worry some, but not the Jets' brass. He had a one-game taste of the NHL last season and earned another four-game call-up this year. He is working to improve the finer details of his game. Given his one-time standing as a projected top-five pick, there was never doubt about his offense. The elements he's working on – like competing for pucks and using his strength – put him on a path to regular NHL duty. NHL Insider Credits Jets' Strong Locker Room for Likely Re-Signing of Connor, Lowry Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman notes the Winnipeg Jets has a healthy locker room full of guys that "really like being around each other" 3 NIKITA CHIBRIKOV RW, 22, 5-11, 193 Manitoba (AHL) 2021 draft, 50th overall OVERALL 80 Chibrikov wowed in Manitoba last year with an unexpected 47-point output as an AHL rookie. That helped him make his NHL debut last season, where he scored his first big-league goal. Chibrikov again turned heads with two goals during a four-game stint with the Jets in December. Roy expects the energetic and enthusiastic Chibrikov to force himself into the Jets' lineup. 'He plays hard,' Roy said. 'Has a good shot. He's got good vision, skill. He's going to be an NHL player one day.' 4 COLBY BARLOW LW, 20, 6-1, 190 Oshawa (OHL) 2023 draft, 18th overall OVERALL 81 Barlow's pure goal-scoring ability, which starts with a heavy and accurate shot, leaps off the page. He's backed it up with consecutive 40-goal seasons in the OHL, too, and the transferability of his offensive instincts was evident in his three-point cameo with the AHL's Moose last season. The Jets like Barlow's competitiveness and leadership qualities, which 'pulls players into the fight,' said Roy. And the Jets were also encouraged by his work to improve his skating and conditioning. 5 ELIAS SALOMONSSON D, 20, 6-2, 189 Manitoba (AHL) 2022 draft, 55th overall Injuries have hindered Salomonsson's first AHL campaign, but there have been glimpses of the tremendous upside he possesses. His shot, both in power and precision, is a useful tool, but his best asset remains his skating. He moves about the ice with such ease and gracefulness that, given room, he can act as a one-man defensive-zone escape artist. What will get him to the next level? 'Doing things at a little higher pace,' Roy said. 'He's growing and understanding the physicality and strength needed to play in the (NHL).' 6 ALFONS FREIJ D, 19, 6-1, 187 Bjorkloven (Swe.2) 2024 draft, 37th overall Puck-moving blueliner with good shot needs to get stronger on his skates. Two Jets, Three Manitobans Invited to Canadian Olympic Team Camp Two members of the Winnipeg Jets have earned invites to the Canadian National Team 2026 Winter Olympic Games camp. 7 CHAZ LUCIUS (*Now Retired*) C, 21, 6-2, 185 Manitoba (AHL) 2021 draft, 18th overall Talent is evident, but he needs game time. Injuries have cost him dearly. 8 KEVIN HE LW, 18, 6-0, 180 Niagara (OHL) 2024 draft, 109th overall Great combination of skill and work ethic. Named Niagara captain this season. 9 KIERON WALTON LW, 18, 6-6, 216 Sudbury (OHL) 2024 draft, 187th overall Has the frame of a throwback power forward and skill set of a deft playmaker. 10 JACOB JULIEN C, 20, 6-4, 190 London (OHL) 2023 draft, 146th overall Builds from own zone outward, even if that means sacrificing offense. Can the Jets Win the Central Division Again? Breaking down benchmarks the Jets will need to hit if they want to win second straight divisional title.
CTV News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Lethbridge Hurricanes reflect on the season following playoff elimination
Jackson Unger (left) and Brayden Yager (right) were traded from the Moose Jaw Warriors to the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Dec. 2, 2024. The Hurricanes open their Eastern Conference Final against Medicine Hat Friday night. (Source: WHL) (WHL)
Global News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Lethbridge Hurricanes reflect on 2024/25 season
Following a stellar, NHL-best regular season, the Winnipeg Jets are battling the St. Louis Blues in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and an unlikely reinforcement has been recalled to their roster. Brayden Yager tallied 84 points in 54 regular season games for the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Moose Jaw Warriors this season in the Western Hockey League. However, following the Hurricanes' season ending at the hands of the Medicine Hat Tigers, Yager was called up to his NHL squad. It's a bright spot on a campaign filled with big trades, big wins and big losses. The Hurricanes went all in this season, coming up short in the Eastern Conference Championship against their Highway 3 rivals. 'Extremely proud of every guy in that room for the effort we put in over the year. Very proud to be teammates with them,' said Logan McCutcheon, a fifth-year defenceman for the Hurricanes. Story continues below advertisement He spent his entire WHL career in Lethbridge, crediting the team, city and fans with helping him grow as both a player and person. 'It's been an unbelievable five years and I can't thank everyone enough.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's been an unbelievable five years and I can't thank everyone enough." Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy He was one the allotted players at age 20 on the roster, meaning his time in Lethbridge has come to an end. 'I'll look back at (Lethbridge) extremely positively. That's a lot thanks to the people, the management, staff, my teammates, everybody. I think that they've made my time here extremely special.' McCutcheon's future will soon be made clear, with the team preparing an exciting announcement for next week. However, he's not the only player who already laced up his skates for the final time in the league. 'I have countless memories. Lots of friendships made, lifelong friendships that I still text, still reach out from people that I played with in my first year. So, just all the friendships you make, all the memories you make along the way, I think it's huge,' said forward Brayden Edwards. In 65 regular season games, Edwards put up 77 points this season, helping lead the team to their deepest playoff run since 2018. He says he's proud of where the team finished, even if the ultimate goal to win the Memorial Cup wasn't achieved. Story continues below advertisement 'Obviously (Medicine Hat is) one of the top teams in the league, so defending their top line and their top guys is tough. We struggled a bit with that, but thought we put up a good fight, especially in the last two games.' The team's head coach, Bill Peters, says it's tough to lose these players, but he's happy to have been able to work with them. 'Some guys are aging out, 20-year-olds are leaving, some 19-year-olds are turning pro and you have to continue to develop. It's not a linear process, it's one where you have to dig in, then you plateau a little bit, then you dig in again and you have to continue to get better and be open-minded. Our guys were really open to being coached and did a good job.' One of the leaders of the Hurricanes this season was captain Noah Chadwick, a prospect in the Toronto Maple Leafs system. He says it was an honour to wear the 'C' on his chest this year. 'We definitely took a step in the right direction and I'm happy to have been a part in leading the team there.' However, he says the fans who filled the Arena deserve all the credit for an incredible season. 'Thank you to every fan and everyone in this city for making it special, not only for me, but for everyone.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Thank you to every fan and everyone in this city for making it special, not only for me, but for everyone."
Global News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Winnipeg Jets recall prospect Brayden Yager from WHL
The Winnipeg Jets will have an extra skater at their disposal for however long their run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs lasts. The Jets recalled forward Brayden Yager from the Western Hockey League's Lethbridge Hurricanes on Friday prior to Game 6 against the St. Louis Blues. Yager's Hurricanes were eliminated from the WHL Playoffs by the Medicine Hat Tigers with a four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference Final earlier in the week. The 20-year-old scored 25 goals with 57 assists in 54 games after being traded mid-season by the Moose Jaw Warriors. He also played for Canada at the World Junior Championship. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy This will give Yager a chance to practice with the pros and while he's eligible to play in the playoffs, it's extremely unlikely he sees any game action barring a rash of injuries. Story continues below advertisement The Saskatoon product was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round, 14th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. He signed a three-year entry level deal with the Pens before being traded to the Jets for Rutger McGroarty in a swap of first round draft picks in August of 2024.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fearsome WHL Foursome Remain Atop CHL Rankings
As we enter February, playoffs are sneaking ever closer and certain squads are separating themselves from the pack, if they haven't already. Four WHL clubs retain their spot among the CHL Top 10 power rankings, and show no signs of stopping. Calgary Hitmen (7 --> 9)Despite having a six-game winning streak snapped on Sunday by Brayden Yager and the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Calgary has been a force to be reckoned with. Exhibiting a trio of dominant wins against Edmonton (x2) and Red Deer (x1) outscoring them 17-3, a major part of that success has been forward Connor Hvidston. The former Swift Current Bronco has himself two goals and four assists in his last three games. Medicine Hat Tigers (9 --> 7)Are we going to talk about him again? We're going to talk about him McKenna made history over the weekend by becoming the third-fastest player in WHL history to reach 200 career points, doing so in just 118 games. He's also currently on a 26-game point streak, in which he's collected 59 points. The Tigers may have had their league-best win streak ended at 12 games, but they did pick up a point against the Seattle Thunderbirds, thus preserving their point streak at 13 games. Plus, Medicine Hat handily knocked off the dominant Everett Silvertips 7-3 on the latest installment of Wednesday Night in the Dub. Spokane Chiefs (8 --> 6)Spokane is rapidly climbing this list and rightfully so, as since the turn of 2025 (13 games) the Chiefs have put up 10 or more goals three times. One of them being Everett. As a team they have outscored opponents 25-11 over their last five games, and deadline addition Andrew Cristall has been stellar as always. Leading the league in points once again, the Washington Capitals prospect followed a "mediocre" stretch of three points in three games with 10 points in his most recent two outings. Everett Silvertips (2 --> 4)It hasn't been an ideal stretch for Everett over the last four games, letting up seven and 10 goals to Medicine Hat and Spokane respectively, but the Silvertips are still perched atop the WHL with 79 points and are poised to become the first club to clinch a playoff position. Forward Tarin Smith has been on a heater as of late, riding a six-game point streak where he's tallied four goals and seven assists including being the overtime hero on Sunday against the Kamloops Blazers. Make sure you bookmark and add us to your for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. VIDEO: Moose Jaw Warriors General Manager Jason Ripplinger Standouts From Week 19 Of The 2024-25 WHL Season Hurricanes' Brayden Yager Hits 300 WHL Career Points 2025 AHL All-Star Classic Filled With Former WHLers Tigers' Gavin McKenna Reaches 200 WHL Career Points
