2024 NHL Draft Day 1 Recap

THE PICK IS IN!

With the 7^th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators select defenceman Carter Yakemchuk from the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL.

Carter Yakemchuk

Round 1, pick 7.

Position: Defenceman

Shoots: Right

Club: Calgary Hitmen, WHL

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 203 lbs

Birthplace: Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada

2023-24 stats: 66 GP, 30 G, 41 A, 71 PTS

"Yakemchuk is a big, offensive defenseman with a right-handed shot and great skill with the puck. He was phenomenal for the Calgary Hitmen this season, a team that seriously lacked offensive firepower. As a result, Yakemchuk sometimes simply decided the team needed some offense and would slice through the entire opposing team to create a great chance off the blueline. He has the willingness to battle on defense and boxes out opposing forwards well, not giving up an inch around the crease. Yakemchuk is a great physical player at the junior level." - Logan Horn, The Hockey Writers

"His daring offensive instincts and goal scoring make him one of the most dangerous Defencemen in the WHL. A quick look at his point totals show a highly offensive defenceman who’s a key part of the Calgary Hitmen attack, and that’s exactly what he’s been all season long. His ability to score from multiple areas of the offensive zone make him very difficult to defend against, and if he isn’t able to find a way to score, his hockey sense and passing in the offensive zone can create chances for his teammates. Yakemchuk’s anticipation of where the puck is going is an asset that allows him to make plays at both ends of the ice. On defence this allows him to get into positions to force opposition away from scoring areas, and gives him the ability to create turnovers and get the puck back up the ice quickly." - Adam Tate, McKeen's Hockey

The Senators were just the second team to draft a defenceman in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft. When it came time to make the pick, there were many highly talented players available to choose from. Yet, there was only one name in President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Steve Staios’ mind when it came time to make the decision.

At 6’3”, Yakemchuk is a big defenseman who already has three WHL seasons under his belt. Appearing in 66 regular season games for the Calgary Hitmen last season, the right shot defenseman recorded 30 goals and 41 assists for a 71-point total — that’s a 1.07 PPG average.

“These types of players are hard to find,” said Staios.

Yakemchuk is the complete package. Size, grit, and skill, he brings it all. A self-described two-way defenceman, the Fort McMurray native will make opponents pay, both with the puck and without. One look at Yakemchuk’s highlight reel plays with the Hitmen will give fans a glimpse into just how skilled the defenceman is. Staios had high praise for Yakemchuk:

“A 6-foot-3 defenceman who not only brings offence, but he’s got some grit to his game. We still feel like there’s a lot of rawness to his game as well, so we feel like the potential is really, really high for Carter. A great character kid.”

The 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas continues tomorrow, with rounds 2-7 beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET. The Senators hold five more picks: 39^th overall (round 2), 104^th overall (round 4), 112^th overall (round 4), 117^th overall (round 4) and 136^th overall (round 5). Fans can stay tuned tomorrow to see who will be joining Carter Yakemchuk as the newest faces in the Sens’ organization.

Where: Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada

When: Rounds 2-7 begin at 11:30 a.m. ET

TV: SN, SN1, NHLN, ESPN+

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