CARTER YAKEMCHUK

2025-07-10

Scout: timsdeathmachine

Skating:

Smooth long strides provide deceptive speed when moving forward, has room to improve lateral movement and backwards skating

Passing/Handling:

A creative passer and deceptive passer. Uses his size very well when handling the puck, good hands in tight

Shooting:

NHL ready, a bomb from the point, wrist/snap shots are deceptive and strong

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

IQ is excellent on the offensive side but on defense needs to work on anticipation and decision making

Forechecking:

Deep entries are sometime costly when the puck is turned over

Defense:

Needs to work on skating, gap control and decision making to maximize potential, has a violent streak that holds promise

Best Asset:

Confidence with the puck, a constant threat to push up the ice, opens space for his teammates

Biggest Concern:

Defensive decision making

Top Tier/Role Potential:

Top pair PP1

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

A great shot, 60+ pt upside if he reaches his potential

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

An offensively dynamic #3–#4 defenseman who thrives in sheltered offensive roles

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

Failure to improve defensive decision making could limit ice time and role

Stylistic Comparable:

John Klingberg

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Made defensive steps in D+1, i have very high expectations for him as the future of the right side in Ottawa

2025-03-01

Scout: Patrick Ploch

Skating:

Yakemchuk's skating is above average. He has a good stride that allows him to get back quickly on defense and crossovers that help with his activation in the offensive zone.

Passing/Handling:

He is a very good passer and handler. He can stickhandle around other players and usually makes accurate passes to teammates.

Shooting:

As evidence by the amount of goals he has scored as defenseman, his shot is good.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

His hockey IQ is average. He doesn't panic but the anticipation is lacking. He often doesn't seem to have a plan and can go for homerun passes rather creating an attack.

Forechecking:

Yakemchuk is not afraid to sneak down low to keep the forecheck going or get in position for a scoring opportunity.

Defense:

Yakemchuk's defense still needs work. Sometimes forwards will walk around him and despite his size and long stick he loses battles for the puck on the boards or loses leverage. He is good on puck retrieval in the defensive zone, able to corral the puck and distribute it. He also seems to have trouble reading forwards.

Best Asset:

I would generally say his overall offensive toolkit but of those three parts, I will say the passing and handling.

Biggest Concern:

His biggest concern remains his defense. The stickwork and timing of checks needs a lot of work.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

I think the lack of high end defense will limit him to a 3rd or 4th defensemen that is often on PP1.

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

The offensive toolkit is undeniable but the inadequacies on defense need a lot of work and I think they will limit his upside.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

He could top out as a 5th or 6th D who runs PP2.

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

The defensive shortcomings limit his time on ice and coaches don't trust him enough to give him more offensive opportunities.

Stylistic Comparable:

One possible comparison is Brent Burns. Yakemchuk has a lot of offensive ability and a physical game.

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Games Scouted:

Calgary Hitmen v Kamloops Blazers 12/13, v Edmonton Oil Kings 01/01, v Prince Albert Raiders 2/5, v Brandon Wheat Kings 2/21