Owen Pickering: a Young Leader on Penguins' Horizon

The Penguins' first-round pick (21st overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, Owen Pickering, is evidence of the statement 'you are never too young to be a leader.' He continues to grow in that regard amongst teammates, whether it be the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League, or his fellow Penguins prospects.

Pickering had the privilege of wearing a "C" on his sweater during the 2022-23 campaign with the Broncos, his third season in Swift Current. The defenseman, who turned 19 back in January, was the second-youngest captain in franchise history.

"It meant a lot, obviously," Pickering said. "That was a huge honor, to be named the leader of our group this year."

The Manitoba native's leadership style revolves around setting a good example for his teammates through his own habits.

"I'm not a big speech giver in the room. Sometimes I do, but I wouldn't say I'm one to talk to the guys for long periods of time after every period," Pickering said. "But, I feel like I try to lead by example by coming to the rink every day with the same attitude, a lot of positivity. I try to push the guys that way."

That was evident during Pickering's time in Pittsburgh earlier this month for Penguins development camp, with director of player development Tom Kostopoulos impressed by what he saw from the young blueliner.

"Just the way he carries himself on and off the ice - he's full of confidence," Kostopoulos said. "He moves up and down the ice a ton. His reach and his length out there and the playmaking ability that he had out there finding guys was impressive."

Pickering is certainly a great role model for Brayden Yager, Pittsburgh's first-round pick (14th overall) at the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville - with the Penguins development staff assigning them to be roommates during their days in Cranberry. The two players share a lot of similarities, from where they were taken in their respective drafts to both playing in the Western Hockey League, as Yager is an alternate captain of the Moose Jaw Warriors.

"We play an hour and a half from each other. His team beat us this year," Pickering said during one of his interviews, with Yager chiming in from across the locker room with a smile on his face that went ear to ear, "yeah we did!"

While the Warriors ended up losing in the Eastern Conference semifinal, the Broncos did not make the playoffs for a second straight season, with Pickering accumulating nine goals, 36 assists and 45 points in 61 games. He ranked first among defensemen on his team in points and third in assists among his teammates.

While the season had a disappointing finish, there was a silver lining, as the timing worked out for Pickering to experience pro hockey and get some games under his belt - competing in eight games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League. Pickering did his best to be a sponge during that stretch, taking everything in while getting to know more people in the Penguins organization.

"Obviously, it's a transition. Super cool to play pro hockey," Pickering said. "I was very grateful for that opportunity. I think it went pretty well. The cliches about it being faster and stronger are all true. I think it's only helped motivate me for the summer and then going into next year."

Right now, Pickering - who measures 6-foot-4 and about 185 pounds - feels like he's made progress when it comes to getting faster and stronger. He is working with nutritionist Marc Bubbs, who's helped out with meal planning - Pickering eats about six a day, along with a couple of shakes - to aid in putting on weight.

"I eat a lot of food, but it's helped," Pickering said with a laugh. "It's not easy sometimes, but it's not bad. You have to do it, so I try to enjoy it."

Pickering has certainly done a lot of growing and developing in the year since being drafted, but the main goal remains the same.

"My goal every time I go into an NHL camp is to make the team," Pickering said. "So, that's how I'll approach camp, and if that doesn't happen, I'll go back to junior."