Winnipeg Jets prospect Brayden Yager was amazed at the leadership he received from Pittsburgh Penguins’ Captain, Sidney Crosby, during his brief tenure with the team.
Yager was drafted by the Penguins in the first round, 14th overall in the 2023 NHL draft. Just a year after he was selected, he was part of a blockbuster trade which saw him join the Jets and Rutger McGroarty head the other way.
McGroarty was moved due to a dispute with the Jets. He wanted to play in the NHL and not in the AHL, but the Jets felt he wasn’t ready for that. McGroarty threatened to play out his NCAA career with the University of Michigan and become a free agent, but the Jets traded him before he was able to do so.
Before joining the Jets, Yager was considered one of, if not the best, Penguins prospect and future Hall of Famer, Crosby went above and beyond to make sure that Yager knew he was accepted with the group, texting him immediately after he was drafted and keeping up with him throughout the 2023-24 season.
“One of the best leaders … takes the time to make everybody feel like they belong,” said Yager about Crosby. “He wished me the best and said Winnipeg would be a great spot for me”
The 19-year-old has taken Crosby’s advice and has thrived. He’s continued to improve every facet of his game, building off of his strong shot and speed. He’s improved as a playmaker and as a defensive centre and is why he is on Team Canada’s World Junior roster for the second consecutive year and is expected to take on a larger role.
“You look at the guys around the room and I think almost every guy wears a letter back on their home clubs, so obviously everyone’s a leader in their own way but having a little bit of experience I and think the biggest thing is leading by example. That starts with my competitiveness,” said the Lethbridge Hurricanes forward.
His speed and release are his biggest strengths but he’s matured and gotten stronger, allowing him to become a bigger threat all over the ice and he looks to be developing into a future NHL player.
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Related: Jets Prospect Named To Team Canada’s World Junior Roster
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