Illegal Curve Hockey: Winnipeg Jets

Jets prospect Brayden Yager had a busy 2025-26 season, playing 68 games for the Manitoba Moose and recording 10 goals and 20 assists. The Saskatoon product also made his NHL debut with the Winnipeg Jets, appearing in three games.

Yager also got his first taste of pro playoff hockey, helping Manitoba to a first-round series win over the Milwaukee Admirals before the Moose were eliminated by the Grand Rapids Griffins. He finished the post-season with four assists in seven games.

He joined us on Saturday’s Illegal Curve Hockey Show to reflect on his first season as a professional hockey player.

Topics:

1) Reflections on his first season.

2) Playing in his first NHL game (1:43)

3) Difference in NHL vs AHL/what he learned (3:26)

4) Lambert also being a Sasky kid (5:31)

5) What he learned from the Moose veterans (5:54)

6) What is his summer schedule of training look like? (8:10)

7) What was it like playing in the AHL playoffs? (11:10)

8) Balancing need to get stronger but need to maintain speed (13:44)

9) Connecting with fellow prospect Colby Barlow (15:57)

10) What moment stood out in his first year as a pro? (17:48)

11) Doing the Jager Bomb Cards with his brother Connor (20:00)

Two hours of hockey talk coming your way on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show as Dave, Drew and Ezra discuss being another week closer to the NHL Draft with folks continuing to discuss who Winnipeg could select 8th overall. We will cover this, if what's old will become new again for next season with the Jets, we go around the NHL to discuss the playoffs and other moves happening in the league.

Guests:

Jim Toth of 680 CJOB at 28:30

Jets prospect Brayden Yager at 1:26:23

Two hours of hockey talk coming your way on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show as Dave, Ezra and Drew chat about the Jets sliding to the 8th overall pick during the NHL Lotto, who might be an option for them at eighth, we’ll cover all the latest from the NHL playoffs, discuss the second round series between the Moose and Griffins as well as anything else that may be Jets related.

Guests:

Dan Robertson, Jets play-by-play voice for TSN at 27:29

Grant McCagg, NHL Draft analyst at 1:25:59

Two hours of hockey talk coming your way on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show as Dave and Drew cover all the latest from the NHL playoffs, preview Game 1 of Round 2 between the Moose and Griffins and discuss anything else that may be Jets related.

Guests:

Kelly Moore of 680 CJOB at 34:33

Moose play-by-play voice Daniel Fink at 1:28:47

Two hours of hockey talk coming your way on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show as we look back at the media avails from Jets head coach Scott Arniel and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. We will touch on the Moose win in front of a great crowd in downtown Winnipeg last night which pushed their series to a winner-take-all game on Sunday. And we will also discuss the first round of the NHL playoffs..

Guests:

Paul Edmonds of 680 CJOB at 22:50

Scott Burnside of Burnside On Hockey at 1:21:38

There was a new face was at Moose practice today as Jets prospect Garrett Brown (2022 4th) took part in his first ever playoff practice as a pro. The big, right shot defenceman is coming off winning a National Championship with Denver University.

After the skate we had a chance to catch up with him to discuss his style of game, winning a title with the Pioneers, signing his first NHL contract, his development path and much more.

After a disappointing season Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff spoke for close to 40 minutes as he covered missing the playoffs, perception of the team, injecting youth, offseason moves not hitting and much more.

After falling from the Presidents' Trophy last year to out of the playoffs this season, Jets head coach Scott Arniel knows he needs to have some answers for his team's fall from grace. He spent approximately 35 minutes this morning discussing the state of his Winnipeg Jets hockey team.

The Jets season is officially over but there was still plenty to discuss when it comes to the NHL club of Winnipeg. On Friday we heard from eight players who had plenty to say about a disappointing season which saw this team fall from the Presidents’ Trophy winner to out of the playoffs.

We will react to the comments made from them, cover the latest on the Moose who play their final pair of games of the regular season, provide a prospect update and more.

Guest:

Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press (joined for the first hour of the show)

It was a very difficult season for the Jets after going from Presidents' Trophy winner's to out of the playoffs. Reigning Hart Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck who had to have a knee procedure early in the season, came back and won gold with the US at the Olympics but didn't experience the same success with his NHL club. Big questions from him for this team based on his conversation with us today.