Hitmen stars Carter Yakemchuk, Carson Wetsch heading to prospects game

Article content material

Carter Yakemchuk is embracing his time to shine within the highlight.

The identical goes for Calgary Hitmen teammate Carson Wetsch.

Article content material

“I’m coming,” stated winger Wetsch of the 2024 CHL/NHL Prime Prospects Recreation. “I’m coming as much as the large leagues, and I’m excited to do it.

“I positively wish to rise to the event and get to point out everybody what I’m about.”

What he and defenceman Yakemchuk are about he’s hoping the nation will discover out after they step onto the ice Wednesday for the gala sport showcasing the continent’s greatest draft-eligible abilities at Avenir Centre in Moncton, N.B. (5 p.m., TSN).

Article content material

The Hitmen and their followers already know their capacity, as do the various NHL scouts who’ve handed by Scotiabank Saddledome to witness the potential of each Wetsch and Yakemchuk.

However the annual star-studded affair permits for everyone throughout Canada to fulfill the Hitmen cornerstones — each named to Staff White for the star-studded affair — and for those self same scouts to grade them in opposition to different high-end 17- and 18-year-old hockey phenoms valued to be excessive selections within the 2024 NHL Draft in June.

“There’s a whole lot of eyes on it,” stated Wetsch, 17. “I imply … it’s streamed on TSN — you don’t actually get to (play on TSN) that a lot. There’s prime guys there, so it’s going to be a tough sport. It’s going to be thrilling.”

“Yeah … I’m excited,” agreed the 18-year-old Yakemchuk. “I believe it’s going to be a very cool alternative for myself and Wetschy. So we’re each tremendous pumped to go. Clearly, the scouts are there. However it’s similar to some other sport — it’s at the back of your thoughts, however you don’t actually give it some thought.”

Article content material

Article content material

Each Hitmen stars are effectively considered amongst those that could make or break hockey careers.

Particularly the two-way Yakemchuk, who is extremely ranked — at No. 6 amongst North American skaters — within the NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings.

Yakemchuk is being listed because the third defenceman amongst North American skaters, with NCAA standouts Artyom Levshunov, of the Michigan State Spartans, and Zeev Buium, of the Denver Pioneers, ranked second and fourth respectively. Seventh-ranked skater and fourth-ranked defenceman Sam Dickenson, of the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights, has been named captain of Staff Purple for the Prime Prospects Recreation.

So it’s shaping as much as be fairly the blue-line-heavy draft class.

“Once I was 16, I clearly didn’t have the most important position on the staff,” stated Yakemchuk, who’s appeared in 164 video games with the Hitmen. “I used to be simply making an attempt to get within the lineup each night time. And now, being my third yr, I really feel like I might help the staff win each night time and be an choice that they will go to.”

He’s actually that — and extra.

Halfway by this season, Yakemchuk has a whopping 18 objectives, which is tops amongst defencemen within the Western Hockey League. With 22, solely Zayne Parekh of the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit has extra objectives amongst Canadian Hockey League rearguards. And Yakemchuk’s 42 factors slot him among the many WHL’s prime point-getters from the blue-line.

Article content material

He’s only one or two video games from surpassing the career-best 47 factors set final season.

At 6-foot-3, 190-lb., Yakemchuk additionally has dimension to enhance the accountability he owns in his personal finish.

So there are many the reason why the Calgary native is drawing eyes — and a spot on the Prime Prospects Recreation — in his draft yr.

“My household’s tremendous proud, and my dad and mom are going to be there, so that they’re tremendous pumped about that,” Yakemchuk stated. “However I’m simply making an attempt to deal with it like some other sport. Will probably be actually, actually enjoyable, nice expertise for myself.”

Even higher is that he’s bought a teammate alongside for the journey — and in the identical room collectively.

“Yeah, positively,” agreed Wetsch. “Carter bought named to my staff, and so it’s good to have a well-known face round there. He’s a very good man to speak to.”

However it’s strolling the stroll that has Wetsch amped for this affair.

The 17-year-old native of North Vancouver, B.C., is ranked forty fourth amongst North American skaters on the NHL Central Scouting checklist.

The 6-foot-1, 187-lb. winger already surpassed his profession totals put up in his first full yr final season.

In 41 video games, Wetsch has 14 objectives — just a few of the spotlight selection — and 32 factors and has been touted because the ahead to observe sooner or later in Calgary.

Article content material

“I assume I simply went from a hard-working man to a man that may do all of it,” Wetsch stated. “I’m put in all conditions everywhere in the ice, and I step up each time I’m wanted.”

Stepping up in Moncton?

He’s actually wanting to hit the ice with others in these rankings Wednesday to pump up his inventory.

“I like it,” stated Wetsch, of enjoying in entrance of scouts. “It’s good and helps me play higher.

“I used to be actually excited after I bought named,” continued Wetsch. “And emotion-wise, I simply wish to get there and have enjoyable. , I’m enjoying in opposition to different prime guys within the CHL, so there’s loads to study and loads to study myself.”

“It’s thrilling,” added Yakemchuk. “There’s gonna be a whole lot of nice expertise on the ice, and I believe it’s simply gonna be a whole lot of enjoyable to have the ability to go on the market and play hockey with them. Everyone seems to be there for a purpose — they’re all nice gamers. So it ought to be a whole lot of enjoyable on the market. I wish to present that I can play with the perfect gamers within the nation in my age group.”

tsaelhof@postmedia.com

X: @ToddSaelhofPM

Article content material