Yakemchuk is a big-time prospect, though.
Ottawa selected him with the No. 7 pick of the 2024 NHL Draft after he had 71 points (30 goals, 41 assists) in 66 games for Calgary of the Western Hockey League in 2023-24.
He had 49 points (17 goals, 32 assists) in 56 games for Calgary of the WHL last season and has 36 points (10 goals, 26 assists) in 50 games for Belleville of the American Hockey League this season.
“I just got the call that me and ‘Dono’ were coming to Detroit to play,” Yakemchuk said. “We were both pretty excited. Yeah, it was an eventful night.”
Yakemchuk’s family found out about 8:30 p.m. MT on Monday. In a panic, they made a flurry of phone calls looking at flights and hotels.
They ended up taking…