Today’s Sunday Upgrade features a beautiful autograph by Washington native Kailer Yamamoto (@kaileryamamoto 🇯🇵🇺🇸). While his season is off to a tough start, there’s no doubt that he will rebound, as his elusive speed and talent are world class! Be sure to check out my prior post about Kailer’s time in So Cal with the Junior Kings, how his two front teeth were knocked out by his brother Keanu (@bigrig4life 🇯🇵🇺🇸) who I’ve also featured, and his childhood connection to @nhlblackhawks @tjohnny09! Have a great Sunday!

This beauty of a card features @nhl star Kailer Yamamoto @kaileryamamoto - 

1. Kailer is a Japanese American scoring winger from Spokane. He and his older brother, Keanu (@bigrig4life, featured before), played in the Los Angeles Junior Kings organization. 

2. The Yamamotos began skating at 20 months old, and their skating instructor during preschool was Debbie Johnson, the mother of NHLer @tjohnny09. 

3. Kailer played 4 seasons in the @westernhockeyleague with the @spokanechiefs (3 of which were with Keanu), and he lit it up with 291 points in 230 games. 

4. He also captured two Bronze medals at the World Junior Championships. 

5. His scoring prowess prompted the @edmontonoilers to draft him 22nd overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, and he has become a fixture on the Oilers’ top lines. His elusive skating and his shot make for a very exciting, gamebreaking player.