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The Pittsburgh Penguins made defenseman Owen Pickering of the WHL's Swift Current Broncos their top pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. Pickering was selected with the 21st overall pick in the first round.

Entering the draft, Pickering was the No. 15 ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting.
The 6-foot-4, 180-pound defenseman spent the last two seasons with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League, accumulating 11 goals and 42 points in 85 career WHL games. During the 2021-22, season, the 18-year old set career highs in goals (9), assists (24) and points (33) in 62 games and was named to the WHL (Central) Second All-Star Team.
The St. Adolphe, Manitoba native represented Team Canada at the 2022 World Under-18 Junior Championship, appearing in four games and notching two assists.
Rounds 2-7 of the 2022 NHL Draft will be held tomorrow, July 8 in Montreal, QC, beginning at 11 a.m. The Penguins hold picks in the fourth (118th overall), fifth (150th overall), sixth (182nd overall) and seventh (214th overall) rounds.