DEV CAMP: Yamamoto motivated

EDMONTON, AB - Right-winger Kailer Yamamoto described his mindset at Development Camp with one word on Monday after coming close to cracking the Oilers roster full-time last season.
"Motivated," said Yamamoto, who's attending his second Development Camp after being drafted in the first round, 22nd overall by the Oilers at the 2017 NHL Draft.
"I really want to make this team, so this whole summer I've been really motivated trying to get bigger and stronger to get to where I need to be to make this team."
The 19-year-old notched three assists in a nine-game stint with the Oilers last season before returning to the Spokane Chiefs, where he added 21 goals and 64 points in 40 games. A brief look at the NHL expectations and pace needed to compete at the highest level for the Spokane, WS., forward provided him with a platform to improve in order to earn his status as a solidified Oiler.

"It's a big, fast league and you can't hold on to the puck too much," he added. "A lot of guys are coming at you so you've got to move the puck quickly, make quicker decisions and get your shot off faster."
Despite returning to the Spokane Chiefs to finish off his season in the WHL, Yamamoto kept an NHL mindset to prepare himself further ahead of Oilers Rookie and Main Camp later this year in September.
"You can definitely get away with stuff (in the WHL) but I really worked on trying to do everything at an NHL level," said Yamamoto. "Being up here last year really showed me how I needed to act and how I need to play. When I went back there I definitely tried to emulate that.
"You have to look at the process and take it one step at a time and not too far ahead thinking you're going to make the team. You have to put your best foot forward every day to make sure you're doing all the right things."