Under Contract: Penguins Sign Owen Pickering to ELC

Two days after the end of the Pittsburgh Penguins development camp, the Penguins put 2022 first-round pick Owen Pickering under lock and key for three years. The Penguins prospect pool officially got better when the team signed Pickering to his entry-level contract on Saturday morning.

The contract will “slide” until Pickering turns pro, presumably within two years when his junior hockey eligibility expires. Pickering could turn pro before then, too.

The 2022 entry-level contract salary for draft picks is $925,000. The Penguins did not report any signing bonuses or performance bonuses in the contract. While legal, such stipulations are rare in the NHL.

The 6-foot-4, 180-pound defenseman was taken 21st overall at the draft last week. He spent the last two seasons with the Swift Current Broncos of the WHL, with 11 goals and 42 points in 85 career WHL games. Last season, he set career highs with nine goals, 33 assists, and 42 points in 62 games.

PHN reported even rival teams praised the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ pick. Some draftniks ranked Pickering in the later 20s, while others had him in the middle of the first round.

Owen Pickering, 18, was one of the Penguins’ prospects who performed well in the development camp. He’s also becoming a media darling for his well-spoken and enthusiastic answers.

Pickering played for Team Canada at the U-18 World Juniors. He had two assists. He is a candidate to play for Team Canada at the U-20s this year.