Among them is Debbie Johnson, mother of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Tyler Johnson. His style of play can be traced back to chasing down the older Yamamoto. Currently playing at Team USA's world junior camp (NJEC), Yamamoto has an interesting family history; his grandpa is from Japan and his grandmother is from Hawaii. "I definitely need to gain some weight and when it comes down to the last game of the season I have to bear down and be a little more consistent.". For the young sniper, he decided to kill some time by working on some puzzles, but he admitted that … Kailer adds, "You've definitely got to keep your head up. ♦, Spokane Chiefs vs. I've read that the traditional spelling Kyler, is English, meaning Bowman or Archer. Yamamoto reads the play, uses his stick to quickly move the puck out and then transition with speed. They gave me a couple extra pounds, too.". By Meet Kailer Yamamoto. Nicknames for Kailer. While Johnson somehow went undrafted out of Spokane, Yamamoto will be a hot commodity. "He's one of my role models. Kai and Kai Kai. Yamamoto’s game has been compared to Tampa Bay Lightning forward Tyler Johnson regularly, and they actually know each other. Edmonton Oilers is a trademark of Edmonton Oilers Hockey Corp. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and NHL Conference logos are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. "I decided it would be stupid not to play in my hometown," he says. Keanu is 21 years old and has also been a major influence in his little brother's life. All that will serve the right winger well in his draft year. Other than that, expect to hear his name a lot in 2016-17. But more importantly, Johnson saw the drive, hard work and speed that smaller players need to be successful at the pro level. Both players are right wingers. / EdmontonOilers.com, Official Oilers Online Store - nhlshop.ca. Are teams setting them up as shields to keep other players from being claimed by Seattle? "His mom (Tyler Johnson's) was my first power skating coach when I was about two years old," Yamamoto said about Tyler soon after being drafted. But his work on the ice is still the most intriguing thing about him. Paul Gazzola "This is the best I've seen him play.". He ranked second among Western Hockey League rookies last season, with 23 goals and 57 points in 68 games. Great downtown, Northside, South Hill, The Valley - it's just a great place to play and live.". Keanu, 19, is tied for fifth with five points (including two goals). But have also read that it is German, meaning little warrior. Though he is only 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, Yamamoto has been lightning every time he has donned the Stars and Stripes. The 2020 first-rounder brings tons of skill and two-way play on the ice as well as great leadership in the dressing room. The Yamamotos say they enjoyed playing in L.A. and living with a family in the suburbs, but it wasn't Spokane. Yamamoto wasn't short of excitement after becoming an Oiler, however, navigating through the Draft's proceedings with the delight of a happy-go-lucky 18-year-old. ... Yamamoto and his older brother Keanu both left for a spell to play minor hockey in Los Angeles, but the two returned to … © 2020 The Hockey News, Roustan Media Ltd. Kailer (pronounced KY-lrr) is listed at 5-9, 160 pounds, Keanu (KEE-nu) at 5-10, 165. Maybe. All Rights Reserved. Keanu is 21 years old and has also been a major influence in his little brother's life. Since both Yamamoto and Johnson don't have much size, Debbie leveraged their ability by harnessing their skating. A number of veteran free agents have signed two- or three-year contracts without no-movement clauses. The veteran forward signs up with San Jose for a third tour of duty and a legitimate shot of breaking Gordie Howe's record for games played in the NHL. Famous real-life people named Kailer. There are a few influences Yamamoto credits for some of his success on the ice. The start of this second half of the season has been anything but easy for the Chiefs. Kailer already stands tall in the eyes of National Hockey League scouts, even though he can't be drafted until 2017. The brothers learned to play hockey at Eagles Ice-A-Rena but eventually left town to advance their hockey careers in other cities, including two years in Los Angeles immediately prior to joining the Chiefs. He was an alternate captain for the Kings. The WHL is a rough-and-tumble amateur league for 20-and-under players, almost all of whom have NHL ambitions. Kailer played on U.S. national teams at under-17 and -18 international tournaments the past two summers. Johnson’s mom taught Kailer and his brother Keanu to skate, with Tyler taking part in those classes. "He did a phenomenal job with me," Yamamoto said. REVIEW: Steve Von Till takes us back to our roots in his new poetry collection Harvestman, After COVID made Bloomsday "virtual," 25,000 runners are still participating. Prince Albert Raiders • Fri, Oct. 15, at 7:05 pm • Chiefs vs. Kamloops Blazers • Sat, Oct. 16, at 7:05 • Spokane Arena • Tickets $10-$22, $2 discounts for students, military and seniors • ticketswest.com • 535-PUCK. "I love playing there," Yamamoto said. Sportsplex gets a "world-class" name, Minecraft for ants, new music and more! "It's an unbelievable feeling and I'm really, really excited to be an Oiler.". With the requisite skills needed to become a National Hockey League player improved upon by the help of the Johnson family, Yamamoto credits Spokane Chiefs Head Coach Don Nachbaur with instilling structure in his game. Both Keanu and Kailer are exceptional hockey players. Yamamoto's shifty hands, however, are a byproduct of skating and working out with Tyler since a young age. "Definitely my parents, ever since I was a little kid, they've helped me out," he said. ", Kailer agrees: "I love coming home from a road trip and having my mom's home-cooked meals, and I get to sleep in my own bed.". Keanu Yamamoto and his brother, Kailer (right), help anchor the Spokane Chiefs offensive attack. Kailer, who just turned 17, leads the Chiefs (3-3-1) with nine assists and 10 points in seven games. Meanings and history of the name Kailer. Kailer Yamamoto was a 5th Round (105th Overall) WHL Bantam Draft selection for the Chiefs in 2013 and spent the past season with the Los Angeles Junior Kings (U16), scoring 17 goals and 23 assists for 40 points in 34 games. “I played growing up with my brother a couple of years above and I’ve always wanted to. But the one-man Camera Care gets it done anyway. Scoring shouldn't be a problem, so Yamamoto is concentrating on improving other aspects of his game. Both the Oilers organization and Oil Country got acquainted with Kailer Yamamoto this past Friday - Edmonton's 2017 first-round selection taken 22nd-overall in Chicago. "I love every home game. A late September birthday, Yamamoto is up for the 2017 NHL draft. Howie Stalwick. One of the rookies, Kailer Yamamoto, won’t require an introduction to the city. "It's really nice being at home," Keanu says, "being able to go back to my own bed at the end of the day. Nachbaur, a big, physical player during his days in the NHL, says the Yamamotos succeed at their size because they possess plenty of heart and smarts. Find out why scouts are excited about this undersized dynamo. "I think I'm 5-(foot-)7¾. They need even less time to see that the Spokane Chiefs employed imaginative fiction writers when listing sizes for the diminutive brothers on the team roster. Get to know Kailer Yamamoto ... Kailer's older brother Keanu played the past three seasons with the Chiefs. Fans don't need much time to see that Spokane natives Kailer and Keanu Yamamoto are skilled hockey players. The Spokane Chiefs right winger has already led his team in scoring and he hasn't even been drafted yet. PLYMOUTH, MICH. - Kailer Yamamoto hasn't made the U.S. world junior team yet, but if history is any indicator, he'll bring a ton of offense if he does make the squad. Yamamoto displayed his personality the moment he became a member of the Oilers organization. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/205289/keanu-yamamoto Not a subscriber? Born and raised in Spokane, Yamamoto and his older brother Keanu both left for a spell to play minor hockey in Los Angeles, but the two returned to play for their home WHL squad, a privilege for the local kid. "They've been there for me and supported me.". Geography brought someone else important into Yamamoto's life, too: Tampa Bay Lightning center (and Spokane Chiefs alum) Tyler Johnson, whose mom taught Yamamoto how to skate. Keanu, a graduate of Mead High School (where Kailer is a junior), considered playing college hockey before he joined the Chiefs in 2013-14. NBA return provides an escape from the ongoing pandemic, North Idaho schoolteacher Steve Von Till brings his dark musings to life with a new solo album and poetry book, A Pride Parade organizer reflects on the event's origins and where it's going after two decades in the Spokane spotlight, In a market awash in cheap footwear, Frank's Boots and Saad's Shoe Repair hope to remind the public not to give up on their shoes, Fixer Uppers: In our throwaway culture, these local fixers keep things running, Nikon doesn't want people to be able to fix their cameras on their own. And the Lightning pivot knows what he's capable of. "I think he was the biggest role model on my team," said Yamamoto. That was after his season with the WHL's Spokane Chiefs concluded, where he led that team in scoring despite being just 17. His latest work was a seven-game, 13-point performance at the world under-18s, where he helped Team USA to a bronze medal. "I came in (to Spokane), never really had structure in my game and he definitely cracked the whip on me a little bit… got me to play a more system game, more structured game. It was always fun to go out on the ice with my mom and see what he could do.". I probably wouldn't be where I am today without him guiding me along. The Spokane Chiefs’ Kailer Yamamoto plays with that edge and he says it comes from playing with his older brother Keanu for years. "They may be giving us a couple inches," Kailer admits with a laugh. "I give a lot of credit to him, I don't think I'd be here without him.". Kailer says his older brother "teaches me so much during the season. Both worked out over the summer with Tyler Johnson, another undersized, homegrown Chief who has blossomed into an NHL star with Tampa Bay. FRESHMAN SEASON (2017-18): OVERALL STATS (prior to University Cup): 14-19-33, 28 PIM in 42 GP. "And he was able to do some of them. He'll have some weapons surrounding him in Spokane, including fellow draft prospect Jaret Anderson-Dolan. "He's a tremendous guy, a tremendous athlete and one of my biggest role models in life.".