Get to Know: Owen Pickering
By
Grace Heidinger
Pittsburgh Penguins
It was a pretty quick turnaround, but the first-round pick made it to Pittsburgh in time to take the ice for this year's Prospect Development Camp, which began on Sunday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.
"I actually walked around backstage, and I was told that I was going to be heading to Pittsburgh the next day," Pickering said. "So, I hopped on a couple of flights and got here."
While the last few days have been a blur for the Manitoba native, this weekend marks his first time in Pittsburgh. He hasn't really gotten a chance to experience the city aside from his hotel and the rink, but he's enjoyed the interactions he's had with members of the organization and his time spent at the practice facility thus far.
"I'd probably say I haven't had time to let it fully set in yet," Pickering said. "I'm not really sure when that's going to happen, but it's nice to be here, kind of get started, and get back on the ice. "
Owen Pickering speaks with the media.
After the first day of development camp, Pickering's
size and skating ability
made an impression on J.D. Forrest, head coach of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Forrest acknowledged how important it will be for the defenseman - who went from 5-7 to 6-4 in a short span - to learn how to utilize his size as a tool and as an advantage in every aspect of the game, and he's already on track to doing so.
"You already see it," Forrest said. "There's a reason why he was picked where he was picked. It looks like he's on that road already."
Get to know a little more about the 18-year-old defenseman here.
WHY HOCKEY?
"I was 3 or 4 years old when I started skating, and it just took off from there," Pickering said.
OTHER SPORTS HE PLAYED: "A TON"
While hockey was the sport that stuck with Pickering, he was no stranger to playing other sports growing up.
"I played AAA baseball representing Team Manitoba at Nationals," Pickering said. "Then I played volleyball, basketball, and all kinds of school sports. I did curling in school too. So I did a lot, for sure."
HIDDEN TALENT: PLAYING THE VIOLIN
Just a few years after the defenseman started skating, he took up another hobby when he started playing the violin at the age of 6. When he wasn't at the rink or playing basketball at school, Pickering could be found practicing the violin.
"There was an orchestra on TV, and my parents always valued music," Pickering said. "They made me a violinist the next year and then I took lessons for a long time, up until the last year or two."
WHO HELPED HIM ALONG THE WAY: HIS FAMILY
From the very beginning, Pickering was able to improve his on-ice skills thanks to his dad, Tom, who made sure their backyard rink was always good to go for his son. Tom and his wife Dana were always incredibly supportive of their son as they spent of lot of time and money travelling everywhere Owen needed to go throughout his hockey career and ensuring that he could play at a prep school before making the jump to juniors.
"They've given me everything, every opportunity, sacrificed so much for me," Pickering said the night he got drafted. "So, to be here with them and able to share the experience with them is super special. Along with my grandpa, who is a huge part of my life."
Pickering called his grandpa Orville his "rock."
"He's one of the most, if not the most, important person in my life," Owen said. "He's taught me important values since I was really young. He wasn't able to make it out to Montreal, but super excited to go back to Winnipeg, and give him a big hug."
SPECIAL MOMENT FROM THE DRAFT: GETTING DRAFTED WITH HIS COUSIN, DENTON
Being drafted was the best feeling in the world for Pickering, but it was extra special to do it with his cousin, Denton Mateychuk, who was selected 12th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Pickering was in the crowd to see Mateychuk put on the Blue Jackets jersey for the first time before he got to do the same, but with a Penguins jersey.
"Obviously growing up with him, to be able to share the moment was very special and something we're going to look back on for a long time," Pickering said.
QUICK HITS
Favorite Sports Team: Formerly the Winnipeg Jets; now the Pittsburgh Penguins :)
Favorite Hockey Player: Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen
Favorite Activity: Baseball
Favorite Vacation Spot: Somewhere hot
Favorite Food: Tacos
Favorite Movie: Moneyball
