The Pittsburgh Penguins were holding training camp in September 2023. Sidney Crosby made the young center feel right at home.
“He’s one of the best, if not the best, players to ever play hockey,” Yager said of Crosby, who has three Stanley Cup rings and two Olympic gold medals under his belt. You’re a young guy coming in and he talks to you like you’re another guy on the team. The way he treats people is incredible. You try to be a sponge and learn as much as you can.”
Then traded to the Winnipeg Jets for prospect Rutger McGroarty after the winger refused to sign with the Manitoba team, Yager is looking to use some of the tools he learned from Crosby while he is currently captain of Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
“Wearing the maple leaf is what we dream of,” said the 19-year-old center. With a team full of leaders, this is such an honor. What struck me most about Sid was watching him. He sets an example in everything he does. It’s all about team.”
The Saskatoon native took that to heart during the under-20 tournament in Ottawa, where Canada will face the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Yager, who had two goals and five points in last year’s tournament, in which Canada finished a disappointing fifth place, accepted a role as a defensive forward at the event.
Selected 14th overall in the 2023 draft, Yager collected 35 goals and 95 points with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL last campaign. He added 27 points in 20 playoff games, helping his team to a third place at the Memorial Cup.
Yager, who had 12 goals and 34 points in 23 games this season, was set for another camp with Crosby and the Penguins before being traded at the end of August.
“It was a bit of a shock,” he said. But simply your welcome moment to professional hockey. It’s a ‘business’.”
Once the dust settled, any anxiety turned to excitement, knowing that Yager would be much closer to home with the Jets.
“The guys were amazing,” Yager said. The coaching staff and management were all awesome and super welcoming. They made me feel like I belonged on this team.”
There are also no hard feelings towards the Penguins.
“I still have my jersey from the draft,” he noted. It was one of the most special evenings of my life. I’ll always hang up that jersey, but most Penguins items collect dust.”
Canadian forward Berkly Catton, who grew up with Yager in Saskatoon, said his teammate’s willingness to do the dirty work on the international stage speaks volumes.
“You can put him in any position possible and he’s going to be successful – that’s just the way he is,” said the 19-year-old Seattle Kraken prospect. That’s why he’s the captain. He will do everything for the team, everything to win. This is to his credit. He leads the troops.”
Traded from the Warriors to the Lethbridge Hurricanes before joining the Canadian team last month, Yager already had these qualities in him. His brief time with Crosby, who sent him a text message after the trade to the Jets to wish him luck, cemented that resolve.
“You see the work ethic,” he said of Crosby. The competition during practices and matches is second to none. And he’s a great person off the ice. He makes everyone feel like they’re part of the team.”
