Penguins 1st-round pick Owen Pickering gets chance to compete at camp

The Pittsburgh Penguins are hosting their prospect development camp at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, and Owen Pickering is among the handful of first-round picks competing.

It’s been two years since Pickering was drafted No. 21 overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. Pickering hopes this can be his year to break through and make the NHL roster.

He has not been able to compete in the past training camps because of injuries.

“I started skating after about two weeks (ago), just kind of been plugging away since then. I’m in constant contact with the organization development staff,” Pickering said. “They’ve been great just giving me certain things to focus on, trying to make the team in the fall.”

Pickering has spent parts of the last four seasons playing for the Western Hockey League’s Swift Current Broncos. Last season the defenseman put up seven goals and 39 assists (46 points) in 59 games.

He also has put on weight this offseason, adding 20 pounds partly by eating upwards of six or seven meals a day.

Penguins assistant general manager Jason Spezza is eager to see what Pickering can offer.

“It’s been a couple of tough training camps for (Pickering) not being able to participate. We’re excited to have him. We’re excited to see he’s healthy,” Spezza said. “This is a big summer for him turning pro. It’s a big jump from junior hockey. I love that he has the enthusiasm and wants to come in and bang the door down and make the Penguins.”

The message seems clear from Spezza and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas about the direction of the team: Prospects are being given a lot more opportunities to contend and compete for NHL roster spots.

It’s been clear the last few seasons the Penguins’ aren’t getting any younger. This camp provides the Penguins’ young talent — like Pickering — a chance to be better prepared for a place in the lineup.

Pickering echoed what Spezza said.

“Yeah, I think that is the message from the organization,” he said. “For me, that’s been a goal since I was 5 years old is to play in the NHL, and that hasn’t changed.”

Pickering seemed excited about the opportunity to be at camp this past week.

“I feel like mentally I’m ready for camp, and I think it starts right now,” he said. “It starts with making a good impression here, and I’m getting my feet wet and then when I come in, I’ll be ready to go.”