Oakley Yost '28 Recruiting Profile

Hello, I am Oakley Yost, a player born in 2009, currently in my second year of bantam hockey. I compete at the Gold AA level for the West Dundee Leafs in the NIHL league in Illinois. My passion for hockey has been a constant in my life, leading me to aspire to make it my career. Playing shinny hockey with my twin brother from the time we could walk engrained the sport in me. Since then I have played hockey on ice since 5 years old. I have since played on several AA teams along with some time on the AAA Madison Captials. 

What distinguishes me from other players my age is my unwavering commitment to excellence on the ice. Regardless of the score, I maintain focus, stay motivated, and contribute everything I can to keep my team in the game. I approach challenges with composure, utilizing setbacks as opportunities to rally my teammates and elevate our collective performance.

Recognizing my deep love for hockey, my parents enrolled me in a dedicated hockey academy two years ago. This academy not only provides intensive on and off ice training but also supports my academic development through online courses which I take at the Academy in Chicago. Despite the 3 hour-long commute four days a week that my mom and I make, I manage my time between school and team practices, spending a minimum of 8 hours honing my skills on the ice each week.

My journey includes participation in various camps, where I've had the privilege of learning from notable figures such as Wayne Gretzky's brother Keith Gretzky, along with UW Madison greats such as Ryan Suter and Joe Palvaski, to name a few. In 2023, I showcased my abilities at the USHL combine, all with the goal of advancing and refining my game.

What truly sets me apart is my dedication to teamwork. I am not a selfish player; my inclination is to pass, creating opportunities for my teammates to shine. Though my playmaking prowess might not always reflect in the stats, coaches consistently acknowledge my ability to read the ice and orchestrate plays that contribute to the team's success.

In essence, I am Oakley Yost—a dedicated, composed, and team-centric player whose commitment to the game is unwavering. I aim to make a lasting impact on the sport I love and continuing to learn even more!