The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today they have assigned Swift Current Broncos captain Owen Pickering to the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Appearing in games with the Penguins would not count toward Pickering’s entry-level contract.

Drafted 21st overall by the Penguins in the 2022 NHL Draft, Pickering set career highs this season in assists (36) and points (45). Overall, he recorded 45 points (9-36-45) in 61 games.

Originally drafted 177th overall by the Broncos in the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft, Pickering has skated in 146 games racking up 87 points (20-67-87). The Penguins signed Pickering to a three-year, entry-level contract on July 16, 2022.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton currently sits eighth in the Atlantic Division with a record of 25-27-6-6. They have eight games remaining in their 2022-23 regular season with the next one being tomorrow night against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Philadelphia Flyers AHL affiliate.