Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of the AHL
- Name: Keith Yandle
- Position: D
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 203 lbs
- Birthdate: 1986-09-09
- Eligible for Draft: 2004
- Drafted: 2005
- Hometown: Boston, Massachuesetts
- Acquired: 4th round (105th overall), 2005
- Playing In: Pro
Keith Yandle
Prospect Grade: 8.5 B (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2004-05: Captained the Cushing Penguins to the New England Division I National Championship game before falling to eventual champions Avon Old Farms. He finished the season with 54 points (14 goals, 40 assists) in 34 appearances. His outstanding season performance earned him a spot on the All-New England Division I East First Team.
2005-06: Jumped to the QMJHL and played for Ted Nolan and the Moncton Wildcats for the season. In his first and only season with the Cats, Yandle emerged as the most offensively dominant rearguards in the entire Q and earned CHL defenseman of the year honors.
2006-07: Made his professional debut with the Coyotes to start the season. Shortly after, he was sent down to San Antonio in the AHL for further development. He spent the majority of his time working on his positioning and defensive game. His numbers dipped because of that, as well as the fact the Rampage had a punchless offense for the majority of the season.2007-08: Started his season in the AHL with the Rampage. Earned a call-up to the Coyotes and finished out his year in the NHL. The results were a bit mixed, as he made a lot of youthful mistakes. However, as the coaches pressed and as he started to get a good base under him, Yandle was able to show some flashes of the future. He chipped in a modest 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) in 43 games, showing that offense is not an area of concern. Seemed exposed in his own coverage and his positioning, something that needs to improve over the summer. Returned to San Antonio for playoffs but was not big factor in those contests.
Talent Analysis
Yandle has a very high skill level and competitive edge. A gifted player with natural instincts. He’s an offensive defenseman, who can move the puck with ease and loves to attack the opposition and join the rush. On the flip-side, he needs to focus on his positioning and needs to learn to tighten up play in his own zone.
Cushing head coach Steve Jacobs’ insights on Keith Yandle: “Keith is the total package of skating, size, skill, hockey sense, vision and leadership ability. He is a clutch performer who is at his best in highly competitive situations. He is especially strong quarterbacking the power play. He is very strong passing the puck with hard accurate passes. He is also very strong in his own end.”
Future
Yandle is expected to take a starting role with the Coyotes this fall.
Stats
|
Season |
Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
PTS |
+/- |
PIM |
|
2004-05 |
Cushing Academy |
USHS |
34 |
14 |
40 |
54 |
-
|
52 |
|
2005-06 |
Moncton |
QMHJL |
66 |
25 |
59 |
94 |
50 |
109 |
|
Moncton* |
QMHJL |
21 |
6 |
14 |
20 |
10 |
36 |
|
|
2006-07 |
Phoenix |
NHL |
7 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
8 |
|
|
San Antonio |
AHL |
69 |
6 |
28 |
34 |
-15 |
97 |
* = Playoffs
Profile Last Updated: March, 10th 2009
HF Quick Navigation
