Yahoo Sports Ottawa Senators Top Prospect Ready for This Weekend's Prospects Challenge in Buffalo
The pressures of being a top-10 NHL draft selection are genuine and the arrival of a top prospect comes with a lot of attention.
The seventh overall pick of the 2024 NHL Draft, Carter Yakemchuk, is attending his first NHL camp, and all eyes are on his progress and development.
On day one of the Ottawa Senators rookie camp, the right defenceman spent the majority of practice participating in even strength drills with 2023 fifth-round selection Matthew Andonovski. When the team worked on special teams play, Yakemchuk was part of the first power play unit that included Oskar Petterson, Stephen Halliday, Tyler Boucher, and Stuart Rolofs.
Yakemchuk met with reporters following practice before he and the rest of his peers left for Buffalo for the 2024 Prospects Challenge.
Here is a transcript of his responses:
How did first day or day one go for you here?
"I thought it went really well. It was kind of good to get back in the swing of things a little bit. It was a really fast-paced practice, so it went well."
Eye catching, fast paced?
"Yeah, there's a lot of skilled guys out there and it's a lot different from a junior camp or junior hockey, so it was a good test for me on the first day."
What has to be your approach going into this?
"I think just go and play my game. I think, you know, I'm here for a reason. And just go do what I can do on the ice and try and show that every game."
Is there a concern of doing too much?
"I think maybe a little bit, but like I kind of said, I think that my game is just playing in the offensive zone and being confident with the puck and I just want to go and showcase that every night."
How would you compare this training camp to other experiences in your hockey career? How is this different?
"I mean it's my first NHL training camp, so I think that's probably the biggest thing. I think just the amount of attention it gets and all the different players... all the Ottawa prospects here. It's my first NHL camp so I'm really excited about it."
Does it feel different, competitive-wise, just with the reaction or the interaction with other players?
"Yeah I think so. I think everyone is here to make an impression and try and make an impact on the coaching staff and the general management. So I think they're all trying to be super competitive even in the practice season and make an impression."
Yakemchuk and the Senators will open the annual prospects challenge in Buffalo tomorrow at 3:30pm with an exhibition game against the New Jersey Devils rookies and prospects.
The game will be available for streaming on NewJerseyDevils.com starting at 3:25pm.
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