One of the brightest stars of the pre-season is set to spend another campaign in the junior ranks.
The Ottawa Senators have returned defenceman Carter Yakemchuk to the Western Hockey League’s Calgary Hitmen, the team announced Monday.
The 19-year-old stood out in his four pre-season games, tallying two goals and five assists. Notably, both of the goals he scored were game-winners, including a show-stopping overtime goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“Carter had a tremendous training camp, but we made this decision in the best interests of his long-term development,” said Senators president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios in the team’s press release.
“We had a healthy conversation with Carter this morning and we expressed that we have a plan for his development that will allow him to thrive once he arrives in the National Hockey League on a full-time basis. We are excited to watch his growth and trajectory in Calgary this season.”
The Fort McMurray, Alta., native was selected seventh overall by the Senators in the 2024 NHL Draft after playing three junior seasons with the Hitmen.
He scored 30 goals for Calgary last season, the most amongst WHL defencemen, and added 41 assists.
Overall, he has 53 goals and 78 assists in 189 regular season WHL games and three assists in five playoff games.
In other Senators news, head coach Travis Green told reporters that forward Adam Gaudette will remain with the team for the start of the regular season. Green also said that forwards Zack Ostapchuk and Jan Jenik have been assigned to AHL Belleville.