Late-round draft pick pays off with Yellowaga signing
By DANNY RODE
Two years ago Red Deer Rebels Owner, President, and General Manager Brent Sutter took a chance which is paying off today.
Sutter decided in the ninth round – 194th overall – of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft to select Nate Yellowaga, despite the fact the talented defenceman out of Calgary had indicated he was going the NCAA route.
This week the 17-year-old signed with the Rebels.
“We had him ranked in our top 10 at the time, but everyone knew at that point and time he was going to the NCAA, so no one took him,” explained Sutter.
“As the draft went on Shaun (then Associate GM Shaun Sutter) and I were talking and thought if something changes, he’s a player we might as well have in Red Deer. All the kids we had listed were being crossed off, so we said way not.
“Shaun also had a relationship to a degree with his father (Kevin), who I also knew a bit, so it was a good chance to take.”
Yellowaga was with the Calgary Edge School at the time where he posted an impressive offensive stat line of four goals and 25 assists in 29 games with the U15 Prep program.
The following season he moved to the SAHA U18 Prep team and had five goals and 20 helpers in 25 games before being called up by the Brooks Bandits of the AJHL. Brooks later that season joined the BCHL and overall Yellowaga played 11 games and had a goal and two assists.
Last season he spent the year with the Bandits playing 48 games and accumulated two goals and 10 assists.
“He had a good year last year and will certainly help our back end,” continued Brent. “He’s a great skater and will be six-foot and probably play at 180-pounds next year. He’s got good offensive instincts, and this year worked hard on his defensive game and improved that. We’re excited to add him to our group.”
Yellowaga is currently committed to joining the University of Maine (NCAA Division I) for the 2026-27 season. But Sutter feels there is potential that could change.
“Even though it says he’s committed that may not be the case,” he said. “We’ll have to see how the season goes, see where his schooling is at and see about the (NHL) draft. There’s a lot of variables.
“It’s a year-to-year thing and we’ll have to see how it works out.”
There are a number of players in not only the WHL, but across the CHL, who are committing to the NCAA while having time left with their junior teams.
“Not every top end guy … it’s not what it’s made out to be,” Sutter said. “It sounds great, but guys get there and play a 35-game schedule instead of playing top minutes in our league and it may not suit them.
“Every situation is different and there could be players who go there and find out it’s not for them and come back. So, we can’t get ahead of ourselves. We just have to see what happens to go from there.”
The NCAA rule change allowing CHL players to play in their association became official last November.
“Really it’s all new at every level from the NHL on down,” said Sutter. “We’ll have to see how they (NHL) adapt to this. And it’s not only our players who are affected, but they (NCAA) will lose some players as well who will come into our league instead of going that route.
“Our league is still the best development league in the world, so we just have to be patient and see where it goes.”
Sutter takes pride in developing young players into not only top level hockey players, but young men.
“It’s great for the kids to have options,” he added. “But it’s important for everyone to make sure they do what’s best for them and we feel they’re better off staying with us. We feel this is where they should be, where they can develop the best they can as this is an important time of their life.”
Sutter may not be finished signing players who previously were looking at the NCAA.
“I can’t say much, but we may have an announcement next week if things go well. Hopefully things can be finalized by the weekend.”
