Carson Wetsch, Carter Yakemchuk do Calgary’s WHL membership proud in securing invitations to annual CHL draft-eligibles affair
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One’s a whole lot of enjoyable.
However two headed to the 2024 CHL/NHL High Prospects Recreation?
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That’s twice as good, particularly for a franchise that’s been missing in younger star energy for quite a lot of years.
So the Calgary Hitmen are doubly delighted to see phenoms Carson Wetsch and Carter Yakemchuk take to the ice Wednesday for the gala sport showcasing the continent’s finest NHL draft-eligible abilities at Avenir Centre in Moncton, N.B. (5 p.m. MT, TSN).
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“Sending a participant to the sport hasn’t occurred in my tenure since I’ve been right here, so it’s nice to see,” mentioned Hitmen head coach Steve Hamilton, now in his sixth season with the Western Hockey League membership. “It’s a whole lot of consideration for them. And it’s effectively deserved, and it’s alternative and it’s a giant stage, and each of them deserve it. And we’re tremendous happy with that.”
Reality is it’s been practically a decade because the final Hitmen participant was awarded a spot within the younger star affair. That was defenceman Jake Bean again in 2016.
Since then, star energy — particularly high-end 17-and 18-year-olds — has really eluded the membership’s lineup.
So Wetsch and Yakemchuk each getting the decision has the reshuffled Hitmen feeling like they’re on track.
“It’s good for this system as a result of we would like the proper guys right here,” Hamilton mentioned. “We would like these high-end abilities. And (GM) Garry (Davidson) and his employees have achieved an important job of sort of figuring out what it’s we would like and the way we wish to play going ahead.
“And I’d say each of these guys are fairly key items. I’d say they each sort of exemplify what we would like.”
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The scouts agree, which is why they’ve earned the invitations — Wetsch because the Forty fourth-ranked ahead amongst North American skaters on the NHL Central Scouting mid-term report, and Yakemchuk as an eyebrow-raising sixth on that very same listing.
The final time a Hitmen participant was ranked that top was Jake Virtanen — additionally at No. 6 — again in 2014.
Earlier than that, Ryan Getzlaf was rated fifth in 2003.
And Pavel Brendl was listed second amongst North American skaters in 1999.
On their respective draft days, Brendl went fourth to the New York Rangers behind Patrik Stefan and the Sedin twins Daniel and Henrik, whereas Getzlaf by some means fell all the best way to nineteenth, the place then then-Anaheim Mighty Geese plucked him. Virtanen was chosen sixth general by the Canucks in his draft 12 months.
How Yakemchuk and Wetsch carry out Wednesday in opposition to fellow draft-eligibles might go an extended methods in figuring out their place on the NHL’s annual pick-em.
“Wetschy’s been perhaps our greatest ahead because the break,” praised Hamilton of the high-value winger, who has 14 objectives and 32 factors — each profession highs — to date in his second full WHL marketing campaign. “He’s come again, and he’s been buzzing — I imply actually going since post-Christmas.”
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In the meantime, Yakemchuk has been oh-so constant, doing it at each ends. However his sniping — 18 objectives to prime all WHL defenceman — is the spotlight, though his 42 factors put him among the many prime rearguards within the circuit, as effectively.
“I believe actually the second half of his 17-year-old 12 months final 12 months, Carter actually emerged offensively,” Hamilton mentioned. “And I believe his confidence is at an actual excessive level. He’s not afraid to take possibilities. He reads the play jumps in entrance of pucks. He picks them off and makes performs occur. And he’s acquired a deadly shot.
“His skill-set is particular, as a result of he’s 6-foot-4 and a right-handed defenceman who may get 35 objectives this 12 months. When you concentrate on it that manner, it’s fairly good.”
It’s mighty good, actually.
And it seems mighty good on the Hitmen lately.
“Each of these guys are extremely aggressive and good teammates, and the character issues are all checked off,” Hamilton mentioned. “The scouts can see what they do on the ice for themselves. However I vouch for each of them.
“Clearly, they’re an extended methods away nonetheless (from making the NHL), and it’s a journey. It’s a journey for each of these younger fellows. Proper now, it’s nearly including to the toolbox — so to talk — in junior and getting higher within the areas that they know they should work arduous.
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“After which they’re going to take a leap to the following stage sooner or later — each time that’s — after which they’re going to have so as to add extra instruments to the toolbox. You simply preserve working in your sport, and also you’re by no means a completed product. However they’re beginning with a whole lot of the instruments that you really want.”
Getting the prospect to star within the High Prospects Recreation validates that they know the right way to use these instruments and might deal with an entire lot of stress thrown their manner at such a young age.
“They’re younger guys, and so they must cope with extra interviews and stress and stuff behind the scenes than individuals think about,” added Hamilton. “It’s not simply present up. They’ve acquired to handle the whole lot. You understand, they’ve acquired to listen to the discuss. And I’m certain their buddies attain out and say, ‘Take a look at this, and take a look at that.’ And all that’s a part of the maturity course of for them. It’s dealing with their enterprise on the ice, and I believe each of them have achieved an important job.
“They’re nice children and nice teammates. An enormous a part of what we’re doing right here is constructing round guys like that for a future. So it’s thrilling to have them with us.”
tsaelhof@postmedia.com
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