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Owen Pickering, who was selected 21st overall by the Penguins in the 2022 NHL draft, unfortunately faced injuries in the past two offseasons. However, as he gears up for his inaugural season in professional hockey, the 20-year-old defenseman is feeling optimistic and in good health.

Assistant General Manager Jason Spezza expressed his excitement for Pick’s return after facing a couple of challenging training camps. Spezza highlighted the significance of this summer for Pick as he transitions from junior hockey to the professional level. He admires Pick’s enthusiasm and determination to make the Penguins roster, and Spezza is ready to assess his performance and guide him in the right direction.

After completing his fourth season with the Swift Current Broncos in the Western Hockey League, Pickering’s performance showcased seven goals and 39 assists in 59 games. Although his point totals were impressive, the defenseman dedicated efforts to improving his defensive skills.

Pickering stated that this year, he dedicated a significant amount of attention to enhancing his defensive skills, ensuring that he could effectively apply them on the ice. He acknowledged that his offensive abilities were the reason for being drafted, so he is confident in that aspect. However, his primary focus was on developing areas of his game that can be reliably relied upon during gameplay.

Pickering, formerly the team captain for the Broncos, is constantly growing as a leader and is a trusted figure among the development staff. He is currently sharing a living space with Harrison Brunicke, a second-round draft pick by Pittsburgh in 2024. Both players, who were opponents in the WHL last season, are motivating and challenging each other to excel on the ice.

Brunicke chuckled and remarked, “It’s evident that he has been here for quite some time. He’s sort of guiding me, and I’m maybe even imitating his footsteps a bit. I must say, having him around is truly wonderful.”

During the offseason, Pickering’s main objective is to increase his body weight on his 6’5 frame. In April, when Swift Current was eliminated by Brayden Yager and the Moose Jaw Warriors in the second round of the WHL playoffs, Pickering weighed approximately 188 pounds. However, he has successfully managed to reach a weight of 200 pounds in the months following that.

He explained, “As I increase the weight I lift, I notice that I become stronger and more powerful. However, during the past year when I had to play for extended periods, it became challenging to maintain my strength. Consequently, I felt less capable on the ice, such as during puck battles. Therefore, this is an area I must focus on improving as I transition to the professional level.”

Although Pickering is getting ready to make the jump this year, he is no stranger to pro hockey. Back in the 2022-23 season, he made his AHL debut in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and played in eight games. Despite being just 18 years old at the time, Pickering has since gained weight and believes this will greatly benefit him in the upcoming season.

“I had a much slimmer physique during my time in the AHL a few years back, and I was definitely less mature. Currently, I believe I am better prepared for professional hockey,” remarked Pickering, who decided to join WBS this spring to immerse himself in the environment, even though he wasn’t playing.

Pickering consumes 6-7 meals each day, ensuring he kickstarts his calorie intake by starting his day with a morning shot of olive oil.

According to Pickering, the dietitian possesses a set of specific tricks. Pickering acknowledged the dietitian’s expertise and mentioned having frequent conversations with her for guidance and assistance. Consequently, Pickering trusts the dietitian’s recommendations and follows them diligently.

The intention is to make the most out of this crucial summer of progress, and Spezza acknowledges that Pickering has made an excellent beginning.

Spezza expressed his intention to utilize this opportunity as a starting point for the rest of the summer, aiming to bring him into the team and ensure he quickly adapts and performs well.