We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn More or change your cookie preferences. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the use of cookies.
We use cookies (why?) You can change your cookie preferences. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the use of cookies.
Yamamoto is one of the more exciting players to watch in this year’s draft class. The undersized winger is creative in his play-making ability and has earned comparisons to other small forwards like Tyler Johnson, Johnny Gaudreau and Patrick Kane thanks to his speed, skill and vision.
The right-shot 18-year-old grew up skating with Johnson, as the Lightning forward’s mom was his skating coach as a child as both players grew up in Spokane.
"The biggest thing was believing I could do anything & having no fear in my game." Yamamoto talks overcoming smaller stature. #NHLDraft
The 5-foot-8, 153-lb led the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs in goals (42), assists (57), and points (99) in 2016-17 and finished in sixth place league-wide in total points. All three totals were career-highs.
The Oilers have quickly become an offensive powerhouse, and Yamamoto gives them a dynamic edge on the wing to add some more grit and quickness to an already-potent forward corps.
Kailer Yamamoto is the first American-born player selected by the #Oilers in the first round of the #NHLDraft since Rob Schremp in 2004
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.
