Owen Pickering Bio
Owen Pickering (born January 27, 2004) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). A first-round selection in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Pickering has emerged as one of the top young defensive prospects in the Penguins organization, combining size, skating, and offensive awareness from the blue line. His progression from junior hockey in Saskatchewan to the professional ranks in North America has positioned him as a long-term piece of Pittsburgh’s defensive core.
Early Life and Background
Owen Pickering was born on January 27, 2004, in St. Adolphe, Manitoba, Canada. Growing up in the small Manitoba community, he was introduced to a variety of sports at a young age, including baseball, volleyball, and basketball, alongside hockey. His parents encouraged an active lifestyle, and he also picked up the violin at age six, showcasing an early commitment to discipline and practice.
Pickering developed his hockey skills in Manitoba’s youth system, where his combination of size and mobility quickly set him apart from his peers. Before being drafted, his favourite NHL team was the Winnipeg Jets, the closest franchise to his hometown, and he named Dallas Stars defenceman Miro Heiskanen as his favourite NHL player, hinting at the modern, two-way style he would later bring to the ice. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing roughly 205 pounds, Pickering possesses the frame and skill set that scouts prize in today’s game.
Path to Hockey
Pickering’s journey toward professional hockey began in earnest when he was selected by the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in the ninth round, 177th overall, of the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft. Although he was a late-round pick at the time, his rapid physical development and consistent performance soon outpaced those early expectations. He joined the Broncos and quickly established himself as one of the top young defencemen in the WHL’s Central Division.
On July 16, 2022, Pickering’s potential translated into a major commitment when the Pittsburgh Penguins signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract. Months later, on October 14, 2022, he was named captain of the Swift Current Broncos, a remarkable honour for a player his age and a sign of the leadership qualities he had developed in junior hockey. His performance during the 2022–23 WHL season earned him a spot on the WHL Central Division All-Star First Team, validating his status as one of the league’s premier defencemen.
Owen Pickering Career
Early Career (2019–2023)
Pickering spent his formative junior seasons with the Swift Current Broncos, steadily climbing the ranks from a ninth-round bantam pick to a top-tier WHL defenceman. His growth accelerated through the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons, during which he demonstrated the poise, vision, and physicality that would later catch the attention of NHL scouts. He was recognized with a WHL Central Division All-Star First Team selection in 2022–23, cementing his reputation as one of the top defensive prospects in Canadian major junior hockey.
On March 30, 2023, with his junior career winding down, Pittsburgh reassigned Pickering to their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He made his AHL debut the following night, March 31, 2023, in a 4–2 loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, taking his first steps into the professional ranks.
WHL and AHL Development (2022–2025)
On October 10, 2023, Pickering was returned to the Swift Current Broncos for the 2023–24 WHL season, where he continued to refine his game. He was again named to the WHL Central Division All-Star First Team, making him a two-time honoree and reinforcing his standing among the league’s best defencemen. That second all-star nod served as a fitting conclusion to his major junior career before returning to professional hockey full-time.
During the 2024–25 AHL season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pickering posted 13 points, consisting of two goals and 11 assists, across 47 games, providing steady two-way play on the blue line. The Penguins were eliminated 2–0 by the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the first round of the 2025 Calder Cup playoffs, a best-of-three series in which Pickering appeared in both games but did not record a point.
Pittsburgh Penguins Debut (2024–2025)
Pickering’s NHL opportunity arrived on November 16, 2024, when he was recalled by Pittsburgh to make his NHL debut against the San Jose Sharks, filling in while Ryan Graves was a healthy scratch. Playing on the third defensive pairing, he recorded an assist on a goal by Jesse Puljujärvi, picking up his first NHL point in his first game. Less than a month later, on December 3, Pickering scored his first career NHL goal in a 5–4 overtime victory against the Florida Panthers, a memorable milestone in his young career.
He went on to play 25 games with Pittsburgh before being assigned back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on January 15, 2025. Although his time with the parent club was brief, his performance provided a glimpse of the long-term value he could offer the Penguins’ defensive group.
Driving Style and Strengths
Pickering plays a modern, two-way style of defence built around his 6-foot-5 frame, smooth skating, and reliable puck-moving ability. He excels at using his reach and mobility to break up opposing rushes while showing poise and composure when transitioning the puck out of his own zone. His hockey sense and willingness to join the offensive play make him a threat at both ends of the ice.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Owen Pickering’s young career are being named captain of the Swift Current Broncos in 2022, earning back-to-back WHL Central Division All-Star First Team honours in 2022–23 and 2023–24, and recording his first NHL point and goal in November and December 2024. His rapid rise from a ninth-round bantam pick to a first-round NHL selection and NHL debut within five years stands as a remarkable trajectory.
Owen Pickering Career Wins
While detailed win totals are not fully verified across all levels, Owen Pickering has accumulated notable individual accomplishments in his junior and professional career. His selection as a two-time WHL Central Division All-Star and his rapid climb to the NHL underscore the impact he has made at each level.
WHL and NHL Highlights
Pickering’s WHL tenure was highlighted by his captaincy of the Swift Current Broncos and his back-to-back appearances on the WHL Central Division All-Star First Team. In the NHL, his most memorable moments came during his 2024–25 call-up, when he recorded his first NHL point against the San Jose Sharks and his first NHL goal against the Florida Panthers in overtime.
International Play
Pickering represented Canada at the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships, contributing to one of the country’s premier development events for top young talent.
Owen Pickering Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Owen Pickering’s family has deep roots in hockey. He and fellow 2022 NHL Draft first-round pick Denton Mateychuk are second cousins, and both were selected in the opening round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. His younger sister, Avery, has represented Canada at the IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship, continuing the family’s tradition of competitive excellence on the ice.
Personal Life
Outside of hockey, Pickering remains closely tied to his family and his hometown of St. Adolphe, Manitoba. He has continued to pursue interests beyond the rink, including music, having started playing the violin at age six. His upbringing in a multi-sport household helped shape the well-rounded athlete he is today.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 calendar year, Owen Pickering had logged 25 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins during his NHL debut stretch, picking up his first NHL point and goal before being returned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on January 15, 2025. Back in the AHL, he produced 13 points in 47 games while serving in a top-four role on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton blue line. His balance of NHL experience and AHL responsibility marked meaningful growth for the 21-year-old defenceman.
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins were eliminated in the first round of the 2025 Calder Cup playoffs by the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, losing the best-of-three series 2–0. Despite the early exit, Pickering’s two-way contributions were viewed as a positive step in his development, with the organization expressing confidence in his trajectory toward a full-time NHL role.
Looking ahead, Pickering is expected to compete for a regular spot on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ NHL roster. His combination of size, mobility, and hockey IQ aligns with the modern style Pittsburgh has sought to build on the back end, and his progression through 2025 suggests he is well-positioned to take on a larger role in the seasons to come.