Article content continued

“I think I’ve just played my game, tried to work hard every day and not try to do too much,” he said, adding the veterans in the dressing room have gone out of their way to make him feel like he belongs.

“The guys have really taken me in and helped me get my confidence up, let me know that I can play with them. They’ve done a phenomenal job with me.

“When I came in, I was a little bit nervous playing against all these grown men. Now I’m starting to settle in. Once you settle down and become less nervous, you start to play your game. That’s what’s been helping me out a lot.”

Photo by Larry Wong / POSTMEDIA

Connor McDavid has been impressed with Yamamoto from the start. And not just with his speed, quick hands and the way he seems to think one step ahead of the game. It’s the grit and determination that won the captain over.

“He came in here, and I don’t think many people expected him to have a job, but he found a way to battle for at least an opening night job,” said the Oilers captain. “He has that battle level, that compete. You either have that or you don’t and he’s got that fire. He brings it every day.

“Everyone likes to talk about his size but he doesn’t let that get in his way. He has that fire that everyone respects, coaches, teammates, everyone sees that.

“He’s been hit pretty good a few times, like in Vancouver the other night, but it doesn’t bother him. I don’t know how he bounces up like that. It’s really impressive, though. Those are the hardest guys, the guys you can beat on, knock them down, and they get back up. He definitely has that quality.”