Utah Hockey Club inks former Edmonton Oilers first-rounder Kailer Yamamoto as their debut season looms

The 26-year-old winger, known for his speed and agility, is hoping to rejuvenate his career with this new chapter.

Yamamoto, the 22nd overall pick by the Edmonton Oilers in 2017, is one of the smallest players in the NHL, standing at just under 5-foot-8 and weighing 152 pounds. Despite his size, Yamamoto showed promise in the early stages of his career. However, his journey to stability in the NHL has been a challenging one. He spent time alternating between the NHL and minor leagues, developing his skills with the Spokane Chiefs in the WHL and later with the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL.

It wasn't until the 2019-20 season when Yamamoto truly began to make his mark. After a mid-season call-up, he found his stride playing alongside Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, tallying 26 points in just 27 games. Yamamoto recorded 11 goals and 15 assists during that span, but the COVID-19 pandemic cut the season short, and his momentum was never fully regained during his remaining seasons with Edmonton.

The Utah Hockey Club is optimistic that a change of scenery will help Yamamoto rediscover the form that made him such an exciting prospect in 2020. With his speed and offensive instincts, Utah fans are hopeful that this PTO could turn into a more permanent role for the talented winger.

Source:
Utah Hockey Club on X

Source: Hockey-Reference
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