Brayden Yager of Team Canada skates the puck in the second period against Team Czechia of the quarterfinals match during the 2025 IIHF (Image Source – Getty Images) Rookie camp is usually a time for learning, but Brayden Yager showed up in Winnipeg with a bigger ambition. At only 20, he’s already making it clear that he wants to secure a place in the NHL. As he kicks off his first professional season, Yager’s confident statements and eager mindset are making him stand out early on, suggesting that this could be the beginning of a breakout year.
Brayden Yager begins first professional season with Winnipeg Jets rookie camp
Brayden Yager, a prospect for the Winnipeg Jets, is gearing up for his first full professional season with a focused attitude: he’s all set to fight for a spot on the NHL roster from the get-go. At the Jets’ rookie camp, which started at the Hockey for All Centre in Winnipeg, the 20-year-old forward shared his resolve during media interviews.“I want to make the NHL,” Yager told reporters, as reported by Global News. “I know the situation of the team. Obviously, they’ve got a great team, lots of great players, but I’m 20 years old now and I’m turning pro too, so I’ve got to fight for a job too. The goal coming into camp is (that) I want to earn a spot on the team.”This statement came after the first day of on-ice sessions, where Yager and 21 other prospects participated in skates led by Manitoba Moose head coach Mark Morrison.Yager’s remarks come from the Jets’ yearly rookie camp, a two-day event aimed at getting young players ready for the Prospects Showdown tournament in Montreal. The camp kicked off, with skating sessions at the Hockey for All Centre, and then there was another practice
Brayden Yager embraces fight for roster spot with Winnipeg Jets
Yager’s comments on fighting for a job illustrate his move from junior hockey to the professional scene. He was chosen 14th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2023 NHL Draft, but in August 2024, he was traded to the Jets in return for forward Rutger McGroarty, as reported by the Winnipeg Free Press. Now, at 20 years old and entering the pro arena, he sees the Jets’ established team but stresses his own readiness and age as key motivators to earn a spot.By saying “I’ve got to fight for a job too,” Yager isn’t just satisfied with playing in the minors; he’s heading into camp ready to show he deserves a spot in the NHL right from the start, going up against experienced players for a few available spots.His confidence stems from his faith in his training and development, as he mentioned in the same chat with Global News, “You look for this moment as a young kid and to finally go into the season starting to play pro is pretty cool. And I think I’m ready for it.”Yager’s summer training was all about board battles, taking cues from the Jets’ playoff series. He also dedicated some time last camp to fine-tuning his skills with Jets centre Mark Scheifele.Also Read: “Alec Regula looks pretty good” — Stan Bowman takes another swing on a 6-foot-4 puck-moving defensemanLooking forward, Yager is eyeing potential chances since Jets captain Adam Lowry is likely to miss the start of the season while he recovers from hip surgery, as noted in the Free Press. As a flexible forward who can play both centre and wing, Yager is eager to soak up knowledge and shine in the upcoming games to strengthen his case for an NHL spot.