Hitmen defenceman Yakemchuk signs entry-level contract with Senators
Ottawa, Ont. – Calgary Hitmen defenceman Carter Yakemchuk has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators.
The Senators announced the signing Tuesday afternoon.
Yakemchuk, 18, was selected by the Senators in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft.
“Carter has a bright future ahead of him,” said Steve Staios, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager for the Senators. “He’s an offensively-gifted defenceman who’s competitive and who has an NHL-ready shot. With continued development, we expect him to become a key member of our defence corps for many years to come.”
Hailing from Calgary, Alta., Yakemchuk has been a stalwart for the Calgary Hitmen since breaking into the WHL during the 2021-22 season.
During the 2023-24 campaign, the 6-foot-3, 194-pound rearguard led all WHL defencemen with 30 goals. He earned himself a place on the WHL Central Division First All-Star Team after recording a career high 71 points (30G-41A).
Selected by the Hitmen in the third round (65th overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Yakemchuk has tallied 131 points (53G-78A) in 189 career WHL regular season contests.
A late birthday, Yakemchuk will turn 19 years old September 29.
In Ottawa, he joins a number of WHL Alumni, including Ridly Greig, Noah Gregor, and Travis Hamonic, along with prospects Jake Chiasson, Zack Ostapchuk, Garrett Pilon, Cole Reinhardt, Lassi Thomson, and Mads Sogaard.
Yakemchuk was one of four WHL players selected in the top eight of the 2024 NHL Draft, following behind Medicine Hat Tigers forward Cayden Lindstrom (fourth overall, Columbus Blue Jackets) and Kelowna Rockets forward Tij Iginla (sixth overall, Utah Hockey Club). The Seattle Kraken selected Spokane Chiefs forward Berkley Catton eighth overall as WHL players comprised 50 per cent of the top eight selections in the 2024 NHL Draft.
The Calgary Hitmen will open the 2024 WHL Preseason on Friday, September 6 when they welcome the Red Deer Rebels to Seven Chiefs Sportsplex in Tsuut’ina Nation.
