The Penguins took Yager in the first round, 14th overall, of the 2023 NHL Draft. There are many facets to his game that make him a highly-touted prospect. For one, the Saskatoon native has a wicked release on his wrist shot. Despite not being the biggest guy, standing 6-foot and weighing 170 pounds, Yager can really lean into a shot that makes it challenging for goaltenders to stop.

That show was seen by many goaltenders in the Western Hockey League for over three seasons. Yager made a name for himself with the Moose Jaw Warriors, where he has been a consistent scoring threat since he joined the franchise during the 2020-21 season. In his three full seasons in Moose Jaw, he averaged over 30 goals a year, including scoring a career-high 35 markers during the 2023-24 campaign.

Yager scored over 55 points in each of the three full seasons with the Warriors. This past year was hit best by far. The 19-year-old posted 95 points, the most in a single season in his career, tied for second on the team with Atley Calvert. Yager also scored 27 points in the WHL Playoffs, leading Moose Jaw to its first Chynoweth Cup., punching the team’s ticket to their first Memorial Cup. He scored six points in four games as the Warriors made it to the semifinal before losing to the eventual champion Saginaw Spirit.

In 211 career WHL games, Yager has scored 104 goals and 146 assists, including 50 points in 40 playoff games.

Yager has also represented his country on a couple of occasions. He played for Team Canada at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, winning gold, and played in the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship.