Kailer Yamamoto Bio
Kailer Yamamoto (born September 29, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey player who plays right wing for the Utah Mammoth of the National Hockey League (NHL). A native of Spokane, Washington, he was selected in the first round, 22nd overall, by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2017 NHL entry draft. Standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing roughly 155 pounds, Yamamoto has built his career on speed, skill, and offensive creativity despite his smaller frame.
After developing through the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Spokane Chiefs, Yamamoto debuted in the NHL with Edmonton in 2017 and went on to spend parts of six seasons at the top level. Following stints with the Seattle Kraken and Detroit Red Wings organization, he joined the Utah Mammoth on a professional tryout in 2024 and earned a roster contract after a strong preseason.
Early Life and Background
Kailer Yamamoto was born on September 29, 1998, in Spokane, Washington, where he grew up and still resides. Through his paternal grandfather, he is of Japanese descent, a heritage he has spoken about as a meaningful part of his identity. Spokane’s long-standing hockey culture gave him an early environment to learn the game, and he was skating at a young age alongside his older brother, Keanu.
Yamamoto and Keanu were taught to skate by the mother of Tyler Johnson, a fellow Spokane product who went on to play in the NHL. The Yamamoto brothers would later train with Johnson during his offseasons, gaining mentorship and a model of what a professional career path could look like. That connection helped shape Yamamoto’s approach to skill development and conditioning.
Before entering the WHL, Yamamoto competed in youth hockey with the Los Angeles Selects, including the 2011 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. He later played for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings of the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League, where he posted 40 points in 34 games, a scoring rate that drew attention from major junior scouts.
Path to Hockey
Yamamoto was selected in the fifth round, 105th overall, in the 2013 WHL bantam draft by his hometown Spokane Chiefs. In his 2014–15 rookie season, he delivered 23 goals and 57 points in 68 games, an immediate offensive impact that signaled his top-six potential. He also represented Team USA at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament as a top scorer, further raising his draft profile.
The 2016–17 season elevated his standing across the WHL. He was named WHL Player of the Week for the period ending October 30, 2016, after registering seven points in four games, and was voted to the 2016–17 Western Conference Second All-Star Team. He finished the year ranked sixth in WHL scoring with 42 goals and 57 assists for 99 points, a production line that pushed him into first-round draft territory.
On the international stage, Yamamoto starred at the 2016 IIHF U18 World Championship in Grand Forks, North Dakota, scoring 13 points, including 7 goals, in 7 games to help Team USA win a bronze medal. He was also one of three WHL players invited to the 2016 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game, a showcase that further connected him with NHL scouts.
Kailer Yamamoto Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
On June 23, 2017, Yamamoto was drafted in the first round, 22nd overall, by the Edmonton Oilers. Coming out of training camp, he made Edmonton’s opening night roster for the 2017–18 season and debuted on October 4, 2017, against the Calgary Flames in a 3–0 win. He recorded his first NHL point, an assist, on October 14 on an Adam Larsson goal against the Ottawa Senators, but was returned to Spokane on November 6, 2017, to continue his development.
Yamamoto returned to the NHL on a more permanent basis with the Oilers in 2018–19 and scored his first NHL goal on October 18, 2018, in a 3–2 overtime win over the Boston Bruins. His small stature drew frequent comparisons to Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau, another undersized playmaker taken in a similar draft range.
Edmonton Oilers Breakthrough (2019–2023)
After additional development, Yamamoto became a regular contributor for the Oilers, eventually signing a two-year, $3.1 million per year contract extension on August 4, 2022, to avoid arbitration. His most memorable playoff moment came on April 29, 2022, when he scored the series-clinching goal late in the third period of Game 6 of Edmonton’s first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings.
On March 3, 2023, Yamamoto scored two goals just 40 seconds apart against an opponent, the fastest pair of goals by an Oilers player since Taylor Hall in October 2013. That kind of rapid scoring was a hallmark of his most productive stretches in Edmonton, where he combined quick hands with a quick release.
The 2022–23 season was also marked by injury. After being evaluated for an injury on November 10, 2022, Yamamoto missed seven games and was placed on injured reserve on November 27. He was activated on December 5 and scored his first goal of the season on December 9 against the Minnesota Wild, only to be placed on long-term injured reserve on January 17, 2023. He returned on February 17 against the New York Rangers and, in 15 games after coming back, tallied 5 goals and 1 assist over 249 minutes and 49 seconds of ice time.
Detroit and Seattle Era (2023–2024)
On June 29, 2023, Yamamoto was traded to the Detroit Red Wings, along with Klim Kostin, in exchange for future considerations. A day later, Detroit placed him on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a buyout, ending his time in the Edmonton organization.
On July 2, 2023, Yamamoto signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Seattle Kraken as a free agent. In 2023–24, he made 59 regular-season appearances but was unable to replicate his previous offensive levels, finishing with a career-low 16 points.
Utah Mammoth Era (2024–Present)
As an unsigned free agent, Yamamoto accepted an invitation to Utah Mammoth training camp for the 2024–25 season on a professional tryout on September 12, 2024. He produced three goals in four preseason games, convincing the club to sign him to a one-year contract on October 6, 2024. He has also seen time with Utah’s AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, where he was suspended for the March 8 game against the Bakersfield Condors following a spearing incident on March 7.
Driving Style and Strengths
Yamamoto’s game is built on quickness, vision, and a compact, skilled playing style. Listed at 5 feet 8 inches and around 155 pounds, he relies on speed and shiftiness rather than physicality to separate from defenders. He processes the game quickly in tight spaces, makes clean breakout passes, and is most effective when he can attack off the rush or find soft spots in the offensive zone.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Yamamoto’s series-clinching goal against the Los Angeles Kings on April 29, 2022, stands out as a defining playoff highlight. He also matched a long-standing Oilers record on March 3, 2023, by scoring twice in 40 seconds, the fastest pair of goals by an Edmonton player since Taylor Hall in October 2013. His 99-point WHL season in 2016–17 and his bronze-medal performance at the 2016 IIHF U18 World Championship round out his list of major milestones.
Kailer Yamamoto Career Wins
Yamamoto’s win résumé is built around team achievements, individual scoring feats, and a first-round draft pedigree. He has won two bronze medals on the international stage and has produced multiple signature single-game performances in the NHL, including his two-goal, 40-second burst for the Oilers and his first-round series-clinching goal against the Kings in 2022.
Team USA Highlights
At the 2016 IIHF U18 World Championship in Grand Forks, Yamamoto helped Team USA capture bronze, scoring 13 points, including 7 goals, in 7 games. He was also a top scorer for the United States at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He later won another bronze with Team USA at the 2018 World Junior Championships in Buffalo, New York.
Other Wins and Performances
Yamamoto’s other notable results include his 99-point WHL season in 2016–17, which led to a Western Conference Second All-Star Team selection, and his NHL debut win with the Oilers on October 4, 2017. While his NHL team trophies are limited, his consistent point production in junior hockey and his international medals form a well-rounded competitive résumé.
Kailer Yamamoto Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Yamamoto grew up in a hockey-oriented household in Spokane, alongside his older brother, Keanu. The two brothers were taught to skate by the mother of NHL forward Tyler Johnson, a Spokane native, and they later trained with Johnson during his offseasons, giving Kailer an early mentorship link to a top professional.
Personal Life
Yamamoto is of Japanese descent through his paternal grandfather. On August 10, 2025, he married his longtime girlfriend, Bailey Williams, in a relationship that had lasted since 2016. He continues to make his offseason home in Spokane, Washington.
2025 Season Performance
Yamamoto’s 2024–25 campaign began on a tryout basis with the Utah Mammoth, but a strong preseason, highlighted by three goals in four exhibition games, turned the opportunity into a one-year NHL contract signed on October 6, 2024. After making the opening roster, he was also assigned to the Tucson Roadrunners, Utah’s AHL affiliate, where he received a one-game suspension following a spearing incident on March 7.
His role with Utah has centered on offensive contributions in a depth-scoring capacity, giving the club a speedy, playmaking winger on lower lines and specialty units. With the Mammoth still building its identity as a new franchise, Yamamoto’s veteran NHL experience and familiarity with the Pacific Division have been assets in the locker room.
Looking ahead through the remainder of 2025, Yamamoto’s focus is on solidifying his standing within the Utah organization, whether at the NHL or AHL level. A strong finish to the season could position him for a longer-term deal, while continued production in Tucson would reinforce his value as a dependable depth scorer and call-up option for the Mammoth.