Carter Yakemchuk Snubbed from Team Canada Selection Camp

Another Ottawa Senators related disappointment just came in. Top prospect Carter Yakemchuk was not invited to Team Canada’s Selection Camp. We’re not even talking about the actual team. This is a camp that includes ten defensemen. Let’s dive into what went wrong here.

READ MORE: Senators Fall to Ducks in Shootout

Yakemchuk’s Success This Season

I wrote in detail about Yakemchuk’s solid play this season just last week. He’s scoring over a point per game while playing his normal physical style of hockey. Since returning to the Calgary Hitmen, his team has gone an impressive 11-5-4. Of course, his great year started in the preseason with the Ottawa Senators, where he scored seven points in four games and made a legitimate case to start the season in the NHL.

The concerns for Carter Yakemchuk now are the same ones from when he was drafted several months ago. His defensive play isn’t as consistent as you’d like, and his skating could stand to improve, especially his first stride. The pros greatly outweigh the cons, though, with Yakemchuk showing himself to be quite capable at both ends of the rinks, playing as tough as just about any defenseman prospect out there, all the while having an extremely high skill level offensively.

Several Other Top Prospects Left Off

It wouldn’t be a Team Canada World Junior Team without some bizarre choices. They do this seemingly every year. Let’s face it, the people in charge will have their biases, allowing certain players more opportunity than others. To have this many top prospects not even invited to camp is quite shocking, though. Beckett Sennecke, Tij Iginla, and Zayne Parekh were also left off. Including Yakemchuk, that’s four of the top nine picks from the most recent NHL draft. All four guys, by the way, are having big-time seasons statistically. Also left out: Michael Hage, who was picked 21st overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the last draft, and Michael Misa, who is expected to go very high in the upcoming draft.

Players Selected Over Yakemchuk

Yakemchuk was vying for a right-shot spot on Canada’s blueline. Here are the five guys that Team Canada chose instead: Oliver Bonk, Cameron Allen, Beau Akey, Harrison Brunicke, and Andrew Gibson. Bonk was an obvious choice as a returning player. The others are the classic Team Canada type of players. Gibson is an OHL d-man with seven points this season. Guys like Allen and Akey have way less skill, but they’ll play a safer game. The one that probably hurts Yakemchuk the most is Brunicke. He also plays in the WHL. He was also drafted last year, partway through the second round. Same league, same draft class, but Team Canada opts for the “safer” player.

Yakemchuk as a Risky Player

The truth is that Canada will have a great chance to win gold. They have a loaded roster that includes several of the best prospects in hockey. Team Canada will have a defensive group that includes Sam Dickinson, Oliver Bonk and Tanner Molendyk. Highly regarded 2025 draft prospect Matthew Schaefer will also have a good chance to make the team. That’ll make for a strong group. Where I disagree with Team Canada’s decision makers is how they viewed Yakemchuk as too risky because of his style of game with the Calgary Hitmen.

First of all, he is a potential game-breaker, given his offensive and physical talent. In a short tournament, when momentum can be so important, having a guy like Yakemchuk score a huge goal or lay a big hit can go a long way. Also, who’s to say Yakemchuk couldn’t adapt to a “safer” role. If he was asked to play a depth spot, I’m sure he would be fully capable, given his work ethic and all around ability. Unfortunately this isn’t the first time and won’t be the last that Team Canada plays it safe with their roster.

Going Forward For Yakemchuk

Given that he’ll be too old next season, and the fact that this tournament is being held in Ottawa, this has to hurt quite a bit for Yakemchuk. All he can do is focus on his season with the Calgary Hitmen. His team has been playing well, and they’ve already shown themselves to be buyers. Maybe this can be a little added motivation for Yakemchuk to elevate his game even further as the year progresses.