Yamamoto was selected in the fifth round, 105th overall in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft by his hometown team, the Spokane Chiefs.[2] In his rookie season with the Chiefs, in 2014–15, he posted 23 goals and 57 points in 68 games.[3] He was a top scorer at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament for Team USA.
Yamamoto was one of three WHL players invited to participate in the 2016 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game.[4] During the 2016–17 season, Yamamoto was named WHL Player of the Week week ending October 30, 2016, for registering seven points in four games.[5] He was named to the 2016–17 Western Conference Second All-Star Team after ranking 6th overall in scoring with 42 goals and 57 assists for 99 points.[6]
Professional
On June 23, 2017, Yamamoto was drafted in the first round, 22nd overall, in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. At the time, he drew comparisons to the Calgary Flames' Johnny Gaudreau (drafted 2011), particularly due to their similarity in size and playing style.[7]
After an impressive training camp with the Oilers, Yamamoto made the opening night roster for the 2017–18 season. He made his regular-season debut on October 4, 2017, against the Calgary Flames in a 3–0 win, and recorded his first career point, an assist, on October 14 on an Adam Larsson goal against the Ottawa Senators. After playing his ninth game with the Oilers and recording 3 assists, Yamamoto was returned to Spokane to continue his development at the major junior level on November 6, 2017.[8]
The Oilers included Yamamoto on their 25-player roster at the start of the 2018–19 NHL season.[9] He recorded his first NHL goal on October 18, in a 3–2 overtime win over the Boston Bruins.[10]
As a restricted free agent following the 2021–22 season, Yamamoto avoided arbitration with the Oilers after re-signing to a two-year, $3.1 million per year contract extension on August 4, 2022.[11]
Yamamoto with the Oilers during a 2022 preseason game.
After being sent back to Edmonton for injury reevaluation on November 10, 2022[12] while the team was on a road trip, Yamamoto remained out with an undisclosed injury, missing 7 games. Yamamoto was placed on injured reserve on November 27.[13] He was activated off injured reserve on December 5.[14] and scored his first goal of the 2022–23 season on December 9, in a game against the Minnesota Wild.[15] Yamamoto was again placed on [long-term] injured reserve on January 17, 2023.[14] He returned to play in a regular-season game against the New York Rangers on February 17.[16] In the 15 games he played in upon his return from LTIR, he tallied 5 goals and 1 assist in a combined total of 249:49 of ice-time.[16] On March 3, he scored the fastest 2 goals (40 seconds apart) by an Oilers player since Taylor Hall in October 2013.[17]
On April 29, Yamamoto scored the series-clinching goal late in the third period of Game 6 of the Oilers' first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings.[18]
On June 29, Yamamoto was traded to the Detroit Red Wings, along with Klim Kostin, in exchange for future considerations.[19] A day later, he was placed on unconditional waivers by the Red Wings for the purposes of a buy out.[20]
On July 2, Yamamoto signed as a free agent to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Seattle Kraken.[21] In the 2023–24 season, Yamamoto made 59 regular season appearances with the Kraken, however was unable to replicate his previous offensive levels, contributing with a career low 16 points.
As an un-signed free agent over the summer, Yamamoto accepted an invitation to attend the Utah Hockey Club training camp for the 2024–25 season on a professional tryout on September 12, 2024.[22] Following a successful preseason, with three goals in four games, Yamamoto signed a one-year contract with Utah on October 6, 2024.[23]
Through his paternal grandfather, Yamamoto is of Japanese descent.[25] Yamamoto and his older brother, Keanu, were taught to skate by Tyler Johnson's mother and would later train with Johnson in his offseason.[26]
Kyle Brodziak is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He previously played for the Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, 214th overall, by the Oilers after being passed over in the 2002 draft.
Brad R. Lauer is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. He is currently the head coach of the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League. He is a former associate coach of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). Lauer previously served as the head coach of the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League. Lauer was drafted 34th overall in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders and played in the NHL for the Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators, and Pittsburgh Penguins between 1986 and 1996
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Curtis Lazar is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
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The Seattle Kraken are a professional ice hockey team based in Seattle. The Kraken compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The team was founded after the NHL approved a proposal by Seattle Hockey Partners to grant an expansion franchise to the city of Seattle, and the team began play during the league's 2021–22 season. They play their home games at Climate Pledge Arena.
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Morgan Geekie is a Canadian ice hockey centre currently playing for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL).
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Tij Iginla is a Canadian ice hockey forward for the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL) as a prospect to the Utah Hockey Club of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is the son of Calgary Flames legend and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Jarome Iginla. He was the first-ever draft pick of the Utah Hockey Club, selected sixth overall in the 2024 NHL entry draft.
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