Yager leaning on Moose Jaw teammates ahead of important season

Brayden Yager said he knows he still has a long road ahead of him, but the 17-year-old already has an idea of what to expect in the lead-up to the 2023 NHL Draft.

Yager, who plays for Moose Jaw of the Western Hockey League, can just look to the experiences of teammates Denton Mateychuk, who was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the No. 12 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, and Jagger Firkus, who was drafted by the Seattle Kraken in the second round (No. 35).
"I would look at some of the questionnaires and some of the stuff [Firkus] had, and he'd tell me about the meetings he'd have and the combine and some things to expect," Yager said. "Same thing with Denton.
"You get a little hint of what it'll be like and the experience. They just said to enjoy it all and that it'd be a fun experience and not to put too much pressure on yourself."
Yager is well on his way already.
A potential first-round pick in the 2023 draft, the 5-foot-11, 193-pound center continued his journey Sunday at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, an under-18 international tournament that runs through Aug. 6 in Red Deer, Alberta.
"I think I'd like to think of myself as one of the top guys," Yager said. "I want to be confident and have some faith in myself. There's obviously lots of things that can change and that happens in this big year that's coming up. I'd like to think of myself as one of the top guys."
It's a hard thought to dispute considering how much Yager has impressed up to this point.
Last season, Yager had 59 points (34 goals, 25 assists) in 63 games, winning the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL Rookie of the Year as well as being named the top rookie in the Canadian Hockey League, which is comprised of the WHL, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Ontario Hockey League. He also had seven points (three goals, four assists) in 10 playoff games with Moose Jaw.
"He is a top prospect for the 2023 NHL Draft," director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr said. "He has NHL speed and quickness combined with a rocket of a shot, which makes him a scoring threat and difference-maker whenever he steps onto the ice. A very smart and highly skilled center, he plays bigger than his size and competes with his skills and assets to be an impact player."
It's an analysis that Firkus, who was linemates with Yager last season, agrees with.
"There's lots that stands out for me, that's for sure," Firkus said. "He can shoot the puck, he can skate, he can do everything. He's got a bright future. A lot of people compare him to (Colorado Avalanche forward) Nathan MacKinnon, and I completely agree with that. There's lots of similarities between the two, and being compared to Nathan MacKinnon can never be bad. There's lots of positives in that compliment. He's got a bright future. He's a great person and he's a great player."
A great student too.
"He kept up on what was going on," Firkus said. "For a lot of it he was always asking, 'How does this work?' and, 'How does that work?' just knowing this year he's going to have a lot of guys on him and lots of questions around him. He soaked it all up, that's for sure. I told him all I could tell him. He's a guy that's not going to be caught off guard. He's super mature. He's like a 30-year-old."
That maturity has allowed Yager to be prepared for anything that comes his way this season.
"You see rankings and stuff like that, and [Firkus and Mateychuk] just said they're going to be all over the place and you're going to see your name here and there," Yager said. "It doesn't really impact where you go and to just focus on your game and keep playing how you play. That's how you'll get drafted the highest."
Firkus said he will make it a point to help his teammate stay on the right path.
"There's lots of ups and downs through your draft year especially, and there's lots of pressure on you," he said. "At certain times it's hard to stay in the moment because you're looking to the future and what's going to happen in the next couple years. For a 17-year-old, it's a young age to have a lot of pressure on you. But it's awesome. It's what you want as a kid. It's what you've been dreaming about since you were younger. It's pretty cool.
"I'm pretty fortunate to have gone through it, and I'll be sure to talk to 'Yags' lots next year and making sure he's doing all right with everything."