Projection: Top Pair Defender
Projectable Skills: Defensive positioning, Transition play
Development Opportunities: Offensive creativity, Strength

I thought as the season wore on, Graeme Pickering was the engine for the Rink Winnipeg team. As you’re watching his details unfold, you realize so many of the things that slightly hold him back are simply found in physical growth and strength. He’s excellent at anticipating pressure, accelerating out of it through the neutral zone, spotting passing lanes with proper timing, and setting up his teammates to succeed. His defensive game is detailed and sound as well. He uses quality crossovers from the offensive blueline, angles off players well, maintains a steady gap, and uses stick pokes and physical follow up to negate chances from even the top players. I anticipate that he will develop into a great number one defender at the WHL with size, fluidity, intelligence, and two-way value. His ability to read play quickly, find passing outlets, settle down loose pucks, and his determination to not let anything get past him shows ample growth potential for well-rounded and detailed play. He’s on track to potentially be better than his brother is; and to get drafted much higher in the WHL Draft.

He was easily the best player at the event for me. I don’t think it was particularly close either. His ability to change direction to evade pressure, explode through the neutral zone, pass around and through pressure, and find ways to constantly spark outlets and offense was high level. I had to check with others to make sure I wasn’t seeing things in the last game since he joined another squad who lacked a defender. He’s smart, controlled, chooses his moments effectively, is detailed in his defensive positioning, and is going to continue to improve naturally with every inch grown and pound gained. He’s exactly the kind of defenseman who I’m personally looking for to lead transition plays from the backend. He has all the key markers I’m looking for and his growth through the season was a massive part of RHA Winnipeg’s success.

It seems like every time I watch Graeme play, the potential of becoming that high-end problem solving two-way defender shows another layer. He starts with excellent C-cuts from the offensive blueline, has been activating and pinching more frequently, and has the stride already to recover defensively to close gaps. His balance, angles of approach, understanding of momentum, and follow up gap control with little pushes are all where you’d want it to be. Watching him play, I just continue to envision what his game will be like as an incredibly reliable transition defender once he physically matures into the realm of his older brother. There are little details of his game to clean up which will make his skating even more explosive such as slight heel kicks but otherwise that natural strength will only open up more opportunities for him off the rush. Graeme already throws in head fakes and understands how to find proper shot lanes too while in motion. The best is yet to come for this player indeed.

This wasn’t the best game I’ve seen from Pickering and yet he still remained one of, if not, the primary offensive catalyst for his team. He is always looking up ice for chances, pushing the pace with confidence and competence while the puck is on his stick. He has incredibly smooth hands and an efficient stride that he uses in perfect harmony to progress forward. He uses his mitts to change the attack angle and his feet to gain separation making zone exits and entries look easy. I appreciate that he isn’t over-reliant on his feet, skating with his head up as he moves through the neutral zone, looking for the teammate with the best entry point into the offensive zone. Once established in the attacking third, he has nice feel for when to probe deep and shows elusiveness at the blueline.