Brayden Yager was the new face in town.

The Pittsburgh Penguins were holding training camp in September 2023. Sidney Crosby made the youngster feel right at home.

91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 one of the best, if not the best, players to ever play the game,91裸聊视频� Yager said of the superstar captain with three Stanley Cup rings and two Olympic gold medals. 91裸聊视频淵ou get a kid that comes in and he91裸聊视频檚 talking to you like you91裸聊视频檙e just another one of the boys. For him to treat people the way he treats people is unbelievable.

91裸聊视频淵ou try to be a sponge and learn as much as you can. It was pretty mesmerizing.91裸聊视频�

Subsequently traded to the Winnipeg Jets for fellow top prospect Rutger McGroarty after the winger refused to sign in the Manitoba capital, Yager is looking to use some of the tools he gleaned from Crosby as he captains Canada at the world junior hockey championship.

91裸聊视频淭o wear the Maple Leaf is what you dream of,91裸聊视频� said the 19-year-old centre. 91裸聊视频淲ith a team full of leaders, it91裸聊视频檚 such an honour.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淭he biggest thing for me with Sid was just watching him,91裸聊视频� Yager added later. 91裸聊视频淟eads by example with everything he does. It91裸聊视频檚 all about the team.91裸聊视频�

The Saskatoon product has taken that to heart at the under-20 tournament in the nation91裸聊视频檚 capital, where Canada will meet Czechia in Thursday91裸聊视频檚 quarterfinals.

Yager, who had two goals and five points at last year91裸聊视频檚 event when the country finished a disappointing fifth after a loss to the Czechs, has embraced a shutdown role at the event with one assist as attention turns to the knockout round.

Selected with the 14th pick at the 2023 NHL draft, Yager had 35 goals and 60 assists for the Western Hockey League91裸聊视频檚 Moose Jaw Warriors last season. The six-foot, 170-pound centre added 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 20 playoff contests that ended with a third-place finish at the Memorial Cup.

Yager, who has 12 goals and 22 assists in 23 WHL appearances in 2024-25, was getting ready for another camp with Crosby and the Penguins with the trade came down in late August.

91裸聊视频淎 bit of a shocker,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淏ut that91裸聊视频檚 just your 91裸聊视频榳elcome to pro hockey91裸聊视频� moment. It91裸聊视频檚 a business.91裸聊视频�

After the dust settled, any angst turned to excitement knowing Yager would be a lot closer to home with the Jets.

91裸聊视频淭he guys were unbelievable,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭he coaching staff and management were all great and super welcoming. Made me feel like I belong there.91裸聊视频�

There91裸聊视频檚 also no ill will towards the Penguins.

91裸聊视频淪till have my draft jersey,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 one of the most special nights of my life. Will always have that hanging up, but most of the Pens swag is collecting dust.91裸聊视频�

Canadian forward Berkly Catton, who grew up with Yager in Saskatoon, said his teammate91裸聊视频檚 willingness to do the dirty work on a big stage speaks volumes.

91裸聊视频淵ou could put him in any position possible and he91裸聊视频檚 gonna find success 91裸聊视频� it91裸聊视频檚 just the way he is,91裸聊视频� said the 19-year-old Seattle Kraken prospect. 91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 why he91裸聊视频檚 the captain. He91裸聊视频檒l do anything for the team, anything to win.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a credit to him. He91裸聊视频檚 leading.91裸聊视频�

Shipped by Moose Jaw to the Lethbridge Hurricanes in a blockbuster WHL deal just before heading off to join Canada91裸聊视频檚 under-20 national team last month, Yager already had those qualities. His brief time with Crosby, who texted him after the trade to Winnipeg to wish him well, cemented that resolve.

91裸聊视频淵ou see the work ethic,91裸聊视频� he said of No. 87. 91裸聊视频淭he compete in for practice and in games is second to none. And a great person off the ice.

91裸聊视频淢akes everybody feel like they91裸聊视频檙e part of the team.91裸聊视频�