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SIGNED ✍️
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 25, 2024
The Penguins have signed forward Brayden Yager to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Details: https://t.co/zvV9XUdp2O pic.twitter.com/4oJRr01DBJ
Yager, selected 14th overall by the Penguins in the 2023 NHL Draft, has spent the last four seasons with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League. The 19-year old forward tallied career highs across the board this season, ranking second on his team with 60 assists and third in goals (35) and points (95). In the postseason, Yager ranked in the top-four among all WHL players with 11 goals (3rd), 16 assists (4th) and 27 points (3rd) in 20 playoff games en route to the WHL Championship. In the Memorial Cup, he was named to the tournament’s All-Star Team after tallying six points (3G-3A) in four games. Yager was recognized as the CHL’s Sportsman of the Year in 2023-24.
Happy first day of Penguins development camp to all who celebrate.
— Taylor Haase (@TaylorHaasePGH) July 6, 2024
Today’s schedule + some preview material in the @dkpghsports Penguins feed. That’s where I’ll have live updates today too: https://t.co/jgcYYbbSV8 pic.twitter.com/xuPR0vv6Wy
There were some questions whether the Penguins might look for an exemption for Yager to play in the AHL next season. The Kraken got that with Shane Wright this year, who would have had those four seasons had COVID not cost him a year in the OHL. The reason there were questions with Yager was he did have a fourth WHL season in 2020-21 that was only 24 games, one short of the requirement to count as a full season. The WHL only played 24 games that season in a shortened COVID season. But the Penguins wouldn't have the same case Seattle did with Wright: Yager shouldn't have been eligible to play in that 2020-21 season at all, because he was only 15 at the time it should have started. With the season starting late and it being short, players who were Yager's age were allowed to play in the WHL a year earlier than they should have. COVID didn't cost him any time, it gained him those 24 games. The Penguins won't get (or even ask for) that exemption.