Chosen 14th in the 2023 NHL Draft and with a junior hockey championship to his credit, Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Brayden Yager is ready to take his game to the next level.

Last season in the Western Hockey League was a successful one for Yager, who helped lead the Moose Jaw Warriors to a championship.

Moose Jaw swept the Portland Winterhawks in four games for the title.

“I think it’s hard to win, and you know, it’s a grind being a long season and all, but I thought our team was really dialed in, especially for the playoffs,” Yager said this week at Penguins development camp at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry.

Individually, Yager had a monstrous season. He put up 35 goals and 95 points in only 57 games and is looking to build on that success.

“I think you get better every year, you know? You try to improve as much as you can, and obviously playing some pretty good players, and they’re improving as well,” Yager said, explaining his increase in stats after putting up 28 goals and 78 points the previous season.

Yager is familiar with one of the Penguins’ second-round draft picks from this year, Tanner Howe. The two grew up about an hour and a half apart and have played against each other on numerous occasions.

“We were always pretty good players growing up and lived certainly close to each other,” Yager said. “So it’s kinda cool to come full circle and get drafted at the same time.”

At the team’s development camp, the 6-foot, 170-pound Yager took advantage of all the opportunities he could. In the fall, he hopes to make a run at the NHL roster.

“I think especially in the defensive zone and also trying to work more on my faceoffs,” he said, describing how he aims to improve. “Also, getting bigger and stronger is kind of the biggest thing, and coaches have helped me maintain my body weight and still get strong.”

By aiming to inject youth into the roster, director of hockey operations Kyle Dubas has opened the window of opportunity for young guys like Yager.

“Yeah, I mean, that’s the first thing that comes to mind is I want to make the team here in Pittsburgh,” he said. “I can be ready to play, and I want to come to main camp with the mentality that I’m going to make the team and be comfortable with working my hardest and battling against some of the better players on the team.”

And, of course, Yager is looking forward to playing with Sidney Crosby.

“He’s my childhood hero, just watching him growing up and just trying to be like him, because he’s one of the best players to ever play the game,” Yager said.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)