Hitmen phenoms prepared to indicate their expertise at CHL’s annual scouting gala
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Carter Yakemchuk is embracing his time to shine within the highlight.
The identical goes for Calgary Hitmen teammate Carson Wetsch.
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“I’m coming,” mentioned 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 indicate 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 finest draft-eligible skills at Avenir Centre in Moncton, N.B. (5 p.m., TSN).
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The Hitmen and their followers already know their potential, as do the various NHL scouts who’ve handed by means of 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 Group 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 plenty of eyes on it,” mentioned Wetsch, 17. “I imply … it’s streamed on TSN — you don’t actually get to (play on TSN) that a lot. There’s high guys there, so it’s going to be a tough sport. It’s going to be thrilling.”
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“Yeah … I’m excited,” agreed the 18-year-old Yakemchuk. “I feel it’s going to be a very cool alternative for myself and Wetschy. So we’re each tremendous pumped to go. Clearly, you realize the scouts are there. However it’s similar to another sport — it’s at the back of your thoughts, however you don’t actually give it some thought.”
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Each Hitmen stars are nicely 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 Group 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 largest position on the crew,” mentioned 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 will help the crew win each night time and be an choice that they will go to.”
He’s actually that — and extra.
Halfway by means of 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 high point-getters from the blue-line.
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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 enrich the accountability he owns in his personal finish.
So there are many the explanation 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 mentioned. “However I’m simply making an attempt to deal with it like another sport. It will likely be actually, actually enjoyable, nice expertise for myself.”
Even higher is that he’s acquired a teammate alongside for the trip — and in the identical room collectively.
“Yeah, positively,” agreed Wetsch. “Carter acquired named to my crew, and so it’s good to have a well-known face round there. He’s a great 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 — a couple of of the spotlight selection — and 32 factors and has been touted because the ahead to look at sooner or later in Calgary.
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“I assume I simply went from a hard-working man to a man that may do all of it,” Wetsch mentioned. “I’m put in all conditions all around the ice, and I step up each time I’m wanted.”
Stepping up in Moncton?
He’s actually desperate to hit the ice with others in these rankings Wednesday to pump up his inventory.
“I adore it,” mentioned Wetsch, of taking part in in entrance of scouts. “It’s good and helps me play higher.
“I used to be actually excited once I acquired named,” continued Wetsch. “And emotion-wise, I simply wish to get there and have enjoyable. You already know, I’m taking part in in opposition to different high guys within the CHL, so there’s loads to study and loads to find out about myself.”
“It’s thrilling,” added Yakemchuk. “There’s gonna be plenty of nice expertise on the ice, and I feel it’s simply gonna be plenty 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 needs to be plenty of enjoyable on the market. I wish to present that I can play with the most effective gamers within the nation in my age group.”
LOOSE PUCKS
The Hitmen (17-18-5-1) acquired a aim from Maxim Muranov 29 seconds into extra time Sunday afternoon to push previous the visiting Prince Albert Raiders (19-22-0-3) 5-4 on the Dome. Ben Kindel, Ethan Moore, David Adaszynski and Keets Fawcett all scored in regulation within the victory … The choice pushes the Hitmen to inside one level of the Raiders, who personal the eighth and remaining playoff spot within the WHL’s Japanese Convention … Recreation 6 of this seven-game house stand for the Hitmen goes Friday in opposition to the incoming Brandon Wheat Kings (22-15-4-1) on the Dome (7 p.m.).
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