Looking back at Kailer Yamamoto, who was drafted by the Spokane Chiefs in the fifth round.

Welcome to this edition of WHL Draft Day Steals. In this recurring column, we look at some of the best steals in the history of the WHL Draft. This week's steal is Kailer Yamamoto, who was drafted by the Spokane Chiefs 104th overall in 2013.

At the 2013 WHL Draft, the Spokane Chiefs decided to draft a local kid named Kailer Yamamoto. Listed at 5'3"and 110 lbs, he was playing for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings 14U team and had also garnered interest from the USHL and U.S. National Team. While he would spend time with the U.S. National U17 and U18 teams, he decided to spend the majority of his junior career in the WHL with Spokane. 

Yamamoto would make the jump to the WHL full-time during the 2014-15 season, finishing third of the Chiefs with 57 points in 68 games. He would go on to play 230 games with Spokane, recording 291 points and representing Team USA at multiple tournaments. His success also led to the Edmonton Oilers selecting him 22nd overall in 2017 and giving him a nine-game NHL trial the following season. 

Now with the Seattle Kraken, Yamamoto is closing in on 300 games played at the NHL level. He was also the first player from Washington State to sign with the Kraken, scoring his first goal at Climate Pledge Arena on Oct. 17 vs the Colorado Avalanche. A speedy winger who has found a role as a bottom-six forward, it is safe to say Spokane made a smart decision drafting him back in 2013. 

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