Winnipeg Jets top prospect Brayden Yager highly praised Mark Scheifele in a recent interview
Photo credit: Winnipeg Free Press
Brayden Yager was acquired by the Jets from the Pittsburgh Penguins this offseason, and during one of his first interviews, he highly praised Mark Scheifele.
The Moose Jaw Warriors got a big boost of excitement on the weekend with the return of star forward Brayden Yager, who was back in Moose Jaw and back on the ice skating with teammates for the first time in quite some time since being reassigned by the Winnipeg Jets.
This is a point in his career that is just as crucial as it is for the Warriors. He is chomping at the bit to apply fresh lessons and habits after a month of training and competing with NHL talent in Winnipeg. Acquired experience in Winnipeg will for sure mold his approach as he finds familiar ice in Moose Jaw for the first time since he played the starring role in their run to the WHL Championship.
It's been a whirlwind offseason for Yager, who has gone through many stages of hockey-from NHL development camps all the way to Hockey Canada's World Junior Summer Showcase-with little rest in between. The largest news was his trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Winnipeg Jets adding another chapter to his young career and some expected nerves heading into his first camp with a new organization.
Yager said, while he learned a whole new squad and the learning curve was tricky at times, credit goes to veteran player Mark Scheifele for smoothing over the transition. Extra time with Scheifele after practices gave him insights that paid off in his two preseason games against the Minnesota Wild, where he recorded a goal and two points. Of course, making things that much more memorable was going up against some familiar faces, including Warriors captain Daemon Hunt, teammate Kalem Parker, and childhood friend Riley Heidt.
«It was maybe my third practice there, I asked him a couple of questions and he kind of jumped all over it and we ended up staying on the ice for 30-40 minutes after just talking,» Yager said.
«He was in the same situation, getting sent back at 19 and things to focus on, how to make the jump to the NHL and it was pretty cool of him to take time out of his day to work with me.»
- Brayden Yager discussing Mark Scheifele
«He was in the same situation, getting sent back at 19 and things to focus on, how to make the jump to the NHL and it was pretty cool of him to take time out of his day to work with me.»
- Brayden Yager discussing Mark Scheifele
With Yager turning his attentions to his WHL club, he's looking forward to chipping in for the Warriors over their next few outings. The return of Yager will surely energize the team for their two-game Alberta roadie versus Lethbridge and Medicine Hat this coming weekend as he will bring some welcomed NHL experience to their lineup.
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