OTTAWA — It’s summertime and hockey is on hiatus, but when Ottawa Senators training camp begins, arguably the biggest storyline will be around one player’s NHL viability: Carter Yakemchuk.

“My goal is to make the opening roster. That’s what I want to do,” Yakemchuk said.

The reserved and, at times, shy Yakemchuk made the bashful declaration from the bowels of the Canadian Tire Centre on Friday.

He quietly described himself as more comfortable, confident and assured with the media and fan base than he was last year at the beginning of his NHL odyssey.

The Senators selected Yakemchuk seventh overall in the 2024 draft because of his hulking six-foot-four frame, dazzling hands and penchant for aggression. Also, he’s a right-shot defenceman — a perennial need in Ottawa.

But the ensuing season was a whirlwind for Yakemchuk, from scoring a highlight-worthy pre-season goal that almost propelled him to the NHL to not even getting invited to Canada’s world junior selection camp when the tournament was hosted in Ottawa. Through it all, he endured a so-so junior season for the Calgary Hitmen.

Yakemchuk returned to Ottawa this week for Senators development camp.

“I feel like I’ve come a long way, trying to round up my game to be an NHL defenceman one day,” he said.

Last September, when Yakemchuk joined the Senators for training camp, not much was expected. Any pops of strong play would have counted as Ottawa Poutine Fest-level gravy. But then, in his first pre-season game, he scored a highlight-reel goal against the Leafs.

Yakemchuk was flooded with texts from friends and family over the next 24 hours, but he said he hasn’t watched the goal since.

“My friends showed me the video (at the time) and they thought it was pretty awesome,” he said.

At this year’s development camp, Yakemchuk pulled off a nasty goal with a between-the-legs, bar-down move.

“I don’t say I necessarily work on it,” Yakemchuk said, chuckling about the move. “I probably won’t break it out in a game.”

Yakemchuk called last year’s training camp an “eye opener” as he tried to adjust to the pace and skill level of the NHL. Veteran defenceman Thomas Chabot helped him out by giving him “little pointers” throughout camp.

However, the Senators decided that while his skill was great, the 19-year-old still needed some junior seasoning.

Andrew Gordon, a Senators scout and the head of development camp, spoke about Yakemchuk’s need to improve on other parts of his game.

“When the puck’s on Yakemchuk’s stick, there’s no question what he can do,” Gordon said. “I think that’s always going to be his strength. So, we were trying to just shore up the other areas of his game, and make sure he’s able to compete in the corners, defensively, off the rush, improve his feet and just gap control, things like that.”

It’s clear which end of the ice Yakemchuk prefers.

“It’s a lot more fun to go out there and shoot than (to) go out there and defend one on one in the corners,” he said.

Yakemchuk, who boldly grew up as an Edmonton Oilers fan in Calgary, models his game after a handsomely paid star defenceman from his former favourite team.

“I really liked (Evan) Bouchard, just the way he plays his game, and how he contributes in the offensive zone and makes plays. And, obviously, he does a great job of scoring goals,” Yakemchuk said.

Yakemchuk’s booming shot helps make the comparison apt. Of course, if he turns out anything close to Bouchard, it’s a home run for Ottawa.

However, like Bouchard, the area that the Senators told Yakemchuk to improve upon in junior was simple.

“I think probably the biggest thing is being able to defend and keep improving to defend at the next level,” Yakemchuk said. “Still a lot of work that needs to go into it. But it’s a work in progress.”

When Yakemchuk went back to junior, his defence — still at times shaky — was markedly better than the year before. He became a plus player, although it didn’t get him on Team Canada for the world juniors.

“It was disappointing for myself to not be named to that team, but at the end of the day, (I) use it as motivation,” he said.

“(Senators general manager) Steve (Staios) reached out and said, ‘Use this as motivation,’ and it doesn’t change how the organization thinks of me.’”

Staios questioned Yakemchuk’s cut from Team Canada to Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch in December. Meanwhile, head coach Travis Green said that he was “surprised” that there were “10 better defencemen” in Canada.

How did Yakemchuk deal with the disappointment?

“Probably just hockey,” he said.

Yakemchuk could affectionately be described a rink rat.

“I’m just most comfortable when I got my skates on and playing on the ice. I think that’s my best and most comfortable. Every time I get out there, I just feel free and can go play,” he said.

But Yakemchuk, who wanted to prove Team Canada wrong last season, failed to do so — at least stats-wise. He had fewer goals and assists than his previous season on a much better Calgary team.

Yakemchuk had an explanation for the difference in his output.

“Points-wise, obviously, was a little bit of a drop-off there,” he said. “But I think it was more about improving my game and getting ready to make the jump next season. So overall, I played my best, my best games (were) in the playoffs.”

Sometimes, you need to sacrifice some offence for defence. Look at Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk last season — neither produced their best point totals, but they had their greatest impact as they were much more defensively sound and well-rounded players than before.

“A lot of the areas we wanted Yakemchuk’s game to evolve don’t show up on the score sheet,” said Gordon. “People might judge that one way or the other, but we saw his game progress, both from a mental standpoint and a physical standpoint, in the direction we want.

“Learning defence in this league takes time, so we’re not expecting him to be in the All-Star Game this year, but we just expect him to keep progressing.”

During development camp, Yakemchuk was a powerhouse among boys, standing out with his strength, shot and skillful dangles at every turn on drills. He and fellow first-round pick Logan Hensler’s lockers were beside each other — the potential future right-side of the Senators’ defence, side by side.

Meanwhile, Yakemchuk is working on his skating with renowned coach Shelley Kettles.

“It’s power skating, it’s not the (most fun), but it’s how you get better,” Yakemchuk said.

If Yakemchuk can improve his skating and defence, then watch out.

With uncertainty about if and when Nick Jensen will return to the lineup next season, everything is set up for Yakemchuk to take a roster spot at the beginning of the season.  

Yakemchuk is still a young man who plays the EA Sports NHL game with his friends, will be going to the Calgary Stampede and doesn’t need to be ready for the now. But he can be.

How close is Yakemchuk to playing in the NHL?

“Well, I don’t know,” said Senators head scout Don Boyd. “You saw him in exhibition games last year. (He was) pretty good.”

It’s all in Yakemchuk’s hands now.