Brayden Yager, a top prospect for the Winnipeg Jets, has received an invitation to participate in the 2025 National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) Rookie Showcase. The annual event is scheduled to take place on September 3, 2025, at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia.
Yager was acquired by the Jets in a trade that saw Rutger McGroarty head to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Rookie Showcase offers Yager, along with about 30 other prospects from various NHL clubs, a chance to participate in on-ice activities and pose for photos for their first official Upper Deck hockey cards. Upper Deck is the official trading card of the NHL. For many of the attendees, it will be their first time wearing their team's colors.
Other players expected to attend the showcase include Matthew Schaefer, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, Frederic Brunet (BOS), Zeev Buium (MIN), Berkly Catton (SEA), Trevor Connelly (VGK), Ben Danford (TOR), Sam Dickinson (SJ), Karsen Dorwart (PHI), Jordan Dumais (CBJ), Jack Finley (TB), Marc Gatcomb (NYI), Konsta Helenius (BUF), Quinn Hutson (EDM), Tij Iginla (UTA), Joakim Kemell (NSH), Ryan Leonard (WSH), Oliver Moore (CHI), Alexander Nikishin (CAR), Jani Nyman (SEA), Zayne Parekh (CGY), Gabe Perreault (NYR), Francesco Pinelli (LA), David Reinbacher (MTL), Axel Sandin-Pellikka (DET), Gracyn Sawchyn (FLA), Beckett Sennecke (ANA), Jimmy Snuggerud (STL), Cam Squires (NJ), and Matthew Wood (NSH), Carter Yakemchuk (OTT). Note that the player list is subject to change.
The Winnipeg Jets are approaching the 2025-26 season with a focus on team success. Several Jets players are nearing milestones, and seven are ranked in NHL.com's "Fantasy Hockey top 200 player rankings" for the 2025-26 season.