The Ottawa Senators were eager to see Carter Yakemchuk shine on the world stage this holiday season, but it appears that won’t happen—unless there’s a sudden change. The Senators, like many in the nation’s capital, were disappointed to learn that Yakemchuk, the team’s top pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, was left off Team Canada’s roster for the upcoming World Junior Championship. The tournament will kick off on Boxing Day in Ottawa, and Yakemchuk’s exclusion was a surprising blow.
The 19-year-old defenseman, selected seventh overall by the Senators in June, was one of the final cuts at Ottawa’s training camp in September before being sent back to the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League. Despite impressing in camp, Ottawa’s GM, Steve Staios, chose to return Yakemchuk to junior hockey to further develop his game. The hope was that his success in the WHL would lead to an invite to Team Canada’s camp, but that didn’t materialize.
Staios expressed frustration with Hockey Canada’s decision in a statement, criticizing the omission of Yakemchuk and noting that it was odd that four players selected in the top nine of the NHL Draft were left off the camp roster. Alongside Yakemchuk, others like Zayne Parekh (Calgary Flames’ No. 9 pick), Tij Iginla (son of NHL great Jarome Iginla), and Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks’ top pick) also missed out.
Yakemchuk has been performing well with the Hitmen, tallying nine goals and 14 assists in 20 games. While he still needs to improve defensively, he has shown promise under the guidance of his coach. Before the Senators’ California trip, Staios visited Calgary to watch Yakemchuk firsthand and was impressed by his performance, particularly his ability to handle pressure—something Staios believes Team Canada could have benefited from at the World Juniors.
While the snub is a letdown for the Senators, they remain optimistic about Yakemchuk’s future in Ottawa. His performance during his first NHL camp left a strong impression, and he is expected to compete for a spot on the Senators’ blueline next year. Head coach Travis Green also shared his surprise at Yakemchuk’s omission, praising the young defenseman and expressing confidence in his potential. Despite the setback, Yakemchuk remains a key prospect for the Senators’ future.
