Young Star Shines in AHL
With injuries sidelining two key defensemen for the Ottawa Senators, young star Carter Yakemchuk is making a significant impression in the AHL. The league has formally recognized his talents by naming him the AHL Player of the Week for the week concluding on March 15, 2026. Over his last three games with the Belleville Senators, Yakemchuk has showcased his skills by notching one goal and accumulating eight points, alongside an impressive plus-8 rating.
Impressive Contributions
During the previous week, he played a pivotal role in two games against the Hershey Bears, contributing an astounding six assists, which propelled his team to a perfect weekend. Yakemchuk’s recent performance places him among an elite group, as he is now the seventh player from Belleville to achieve this accolade. Other notable players to have received this honor include Drake Batherson, Logan Brown, Josh Norris, and more.
Development Over Promotion
The 2024 NHL Draft’s seventh overall pick has yet to make his NHL debut, despite the Senators currently facing challenges with injuries to regulars Jake Sanderson and Nick Jensen. Instead of promoting Yakemchuk to the NHL, the Senators opted to call up Lassi Thomson, as both Dennis Gilbert and Nik Matinpalo handle the roles in Ottawa’s defensive lineup. Interestingly, had anyone suggested at the start of this season that the Senators would need nine defensemen, many fans might have predicted Yakemchuk would be among them.
However, the organization aims for Yakemchuk to continue honing his skills in the AHL, prioritizing his development over immediate promotion to the NHL. His recent stats affirm that this strategy is effective; he recorded four assists in a decisive 6-3 win on Saturday and followed that up with two more assists during a 5-2 triumph on Sunday, earning First Star honors in both games.
Promising Future
For the season, Yakemchuk has tallied 35 points across 47 games, placing him second among all rookie defensemen in the AHL. His selection by the Senators comes after an impressive season in 2023-24, where he netted 30 goals while playing with the Calgary Hitmen. Although he faced a downturn in offensive production last year while focused on improving his skating and defense in the WHL, his recent performances indicate a promising resurgence.
Last month, he had a taste of NHL life while practicing with the Senators during the Olympic break, further fueling his desire for a call-up. With his current trajectory, it appears that Yakemchuk is eager to make a mark in the NHL whenever the opportunity arises.
