Penguins Draft: ‘Best Feeling in the World,’ Meet 1st-Rounder Owen Pickering (+)

MONTREAL — In the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins added 6-foot-4 defenseman Owen Pickering to their prospect pool. And the well-spoken young man may not be done growing.

Two years ago, Pickering was 5-foot-7. The Penguins selected him with the 21st pick in the 2022 NHL Draft on Thursday night. Penguins Draft coverage.

Pickering, 18, owns with a slick pedigree, quick feet, and who gobbled up minutes on a sagging WHL Swift Current Broncos team. He played over 20 minutes per game and word around the prospect was he impressed scouts with exemplary play and not succumbing to the adversity.

Not only was he the 15th-ranked North American skater in the final Central Scouting rankings, but he comes from a family of “tall genes.”