By Steve Warne
Photography by Nicolai Gregory
As the Ottawa Senators open their 2026 training camp this fall, the progress of 20-year-old defenceman Carter Yakemchuk is sure to provide one of the team’s most compelling storylines.
Two years ago, the Senators selected Carter Yakemchuk—a Fort McMurray, Alberta native—seventh overall, which is an NHL draft position that comes with great expectations. In the past 15 years, the Sens have only had a pick that high on three occasions and they managed to turn all of them into gold: Tim Stutzle (3rd in 2020), Jake Sanderson (5th in 2020), and Brady Tkachuk (4th in 2018).
Yakemchuk made an immediate impression at his first camp following the draft, leading all Ottawa skaters in preseason scoring. He remained with the club until the very end of camp before becoming one of its final cuts.
Last fall was a little different.
With Yakemchuk putting more emphasis on developing the defensive side of his game, the offence didn’t flow quite as freely. But once again, he pushed his way deep into training camp.
And once again, he was one of the Senators’ final cuts.
Now, as he prepares for this year’s camp, Yakemchuk is hoping the third time is the charm. And he has good reason to be hopeful.
For one, he’s now had two years to develop his game, first with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen after returning to junior in 2024, and then last season in the pro ranks with the AHL’s Belleville Senators.
But just as importantly, the Sens’ blue line changed over the summer. Nick Jensen has moved on, creating a glaring opening on the right side behind Artem Zub and Jordan Spence.
Yakemchuk wants that job. The Senators want him to have that job. But is he ready for that job?
His offence certainly is.
He got into his first live fire NHL action last season, making his debut in Detroit, scoring a goal and adding an assist in an important late-season Senators victory. The Sens called on him again during a Stanley Cup playoff game, and he responded with two assists.
No one doubts that Yakemchuk can provide offence from the back end. It’s a matter of continuing to work on skating and decisions on defence, and that’s been a major part of his development over the past two years.
After his first season of pro hockey in 2025-26, he spent some time at home in Calgary but was back in Ottawa by mid-summer, skating five days a week and working with Sens skating coach Shelley Kettles.
There’s no guarantee he’ll be wearing a Sens jersey on opening night. But that’s absolutely the goal.
“I think this is going to be a big opportunity for me this year at camp,” Yakemchuk said. “I mean, I want to go in there and try and earn a job and an opportunity to play on the big team.”
With training camp approaching, Yakemchuk sat down with Faces to talk about that opportunity, his NHL debut, growing up with two older brothers, his summer in Ottawa, Burger King, and why his first NHL goal puck is apparently missing in action.
What has changed for you from draft day two years ago to the person and player you are now?
Well, I’d say I’ve probably matured a little bit since then, just getting more confidence both on and off the ice. Especially this year being my first full season as a pro, I’m trying to become more of a professional and less of a junior player.
You’ve already had a couple of special NHL moments. Can you take us through the day of your NHL debut in Detroit? When did you get the call?
Yeah, I got the call during the game the night before. I think they were in New York. And then a couple of guys went down in the game and then I got the call that me and Jorian (Donovan) were both going to go play in Detroit. It was literally 20 minutes after we got the phone calls, we were in a car driving to Detroit, drove all night, got to the hotel at like 3 am.
And then we slept, woke up and there was no pregame skate or anything. Just at the hotel meetings. And then, yeah, I think I was nervous the whole day. But I think in the car on the way there, me and Jorian were pretty excited. We were making calls to our family and friends. It was fun to experience the whole thing.
And your family managed to get to Detroit in time for the game?
Yeah, I told them I was playing and they found a way to be there, which was awesome. My parents, my brothers, my uncle came too.
And you got your first NHL goal. Do you still have the puck?
I don’t actually have it. It’s somewhere. I don’t know. I think I lost it. I hope not. I don’t think I got it back yet. It’s probably still at the rink just sitting in my stall [laughs].
You also got to play your first Stanley Cup playoff game. Was that even more nerve-wracking than your NHL debut?
Yeah, it was. Just going in and then I think when we got on the ice, like, before the anthems, how loud it was, I mean, the building was shaking. But then as soon as you step on the ice, it’s easy to get your head into hockey and forget about the outside noise.
Were there Senators players who took you under their wing when you arrived?
I think Ridly Greig did for sure. It was helpful seeing him away from the rink. I think Jake and Chabot both helped, even at training camps, they’d watch me play and give me pointers.
I think in that first game, everyone was trying to help me and Jorian out. They knew we were both nervous and also excited, so they were helping both of us out and trying to make it easy on us.
You’ve spent part of the summer in Ottawa. What’s your setup here?
Yeah, I’m staying with Ridly at his place and skating every day, and in the gym and it’s been good so far. It’s nice to be here with the staff and the support they have.
You grew up with two older brothers, Connor and Keeling. How much did chasing them around help you athletically?
Yeah, and you just always wanted to do what they were doing. If they were playing street hockey with their friends, I wanted to play with them and wanted to be out there no matter what sport or what they were doing.
I always wanted to be hanging out with them.
And I’m betting you beat the tar out of each other over the years.
Yeah. My oldest brother, Connor, he’s like a big, big guy. And then Keeling, he’s not as big. So I feel like I can at least take him in fights [laughs].
But it’s been great to see all the support they’ve had for me.
Tell us about your mom and dad (Tammy and Robin) and their involvement in your hockey career to this point, getting you to all your games and practices.
Both of them were pretty involved. My dad probably more for sure. But my mom would always volunteer for all our teams. Growing up, every year she would get our teams involved in something to do with the community, trying to help out. So she was big into (my hockey) too.
What do they do for work?
They own Burger Kings in Fort McMurray.
Burger Kings? How many?
They own two right now and are just getting started on a third.
And naturally, you’re a Burger King guy?
It’s alright.
If Yakemchuk has it his way, he’ll finally crack Ottawa’s opening-night roster this fall.
The big young defenceman has spent the past two training camps pushing right to the finish line, only to come up just short.
With any luck, a full-time NHL job will be easier to find than that missing souvenir puck.
