The big Calgary Hitmen defenceman scored 30 goals this season and was chosen seventh overall.
In his debut at the NHL Draft, Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios was decisive and went against most mock draft boards, selecting Carter Yakemchuk with the 7th overall pick on Friday night.
“It feels unbelievable," Yakemchuk told TSN 1200 radio. "It's a dream come true, and I'm so pumped to be a Senator."
Yakemchuk was both surprised and not surprised that the Senators selected him.
“I thought the conversation went really well. I was really happy with the meeting, and I thought there was a chance that they were going to select me,” said Yakemchuk.
However, he was not necessarily expecting to be picked as high as the 7th overall pick but maybe “around the 12th overall pick.”
Yakemchuk says Ottawa asked him in the pre-draft process about his commitment level to the game of hockey.
“Ottawa really wanted to know if I was fully committed to being the best player I can be,” said Yakemchuk. “My goal is to play in the NHL. My goal is to win a Stanley Cup, and I am gonna do everything I can to do that.”
Yakemchuk had 30 goals and 71 points in 66 games with the Calgary Hitmen. He's one of three WHL defensemen in the past ten seasons to score 30 goals. He was asked to describe his game
“I'm a defenseman that likes to produce offence, and I play a really heavy game in the defensive zone,” said Yakemchuk. “I am not afraid to throw my body around on the ice, and I pride myself on the offensive side of the game.”
Yakemchuk, who took 120 penalty minutes last season, says it’s an element he brings to the game, but it’s not his focus to get into skirmishes and take penalties.
“I don't shy away from the rough side of the game,” said Yakemchuk. “But I don't think that's something I'm looking to do on a nightly basis.”
Yakemchuk says he models his game after Edmonton Oilers star Evan Bouchard. Both players share a big, heavy shot and can get pucks to the net.
“I have a quick release,” said Yakemchuk. ”When I do have time and space, I can unload a big slapshot, but I can also get pucks off in tight areas with a quick snapshot.”
Yakemchuk will next be headed to Senators Development camp early next month and then to the Canadian World Junior Camp with the tournament back in Ottawa this December.
Yakemchuk has never been to Ottawa and said he did not know who Chris Phillips was. In fairness, Yakemchuk was ten years old when Phillips retired in 2015.
The Senators hope they've found the next right-shot franchise defenceman they've been yearning for since losing Erik Karlsson.