Rebels defenceman Pickering aims to make roster after year in Junior A
The 17-year-old, drafted 15th overall by Red Deer in 2024, spent last season with the Winkler Flyers after being cut from the WHL roster and is back at training camp healthier and stronger.
Graeme Pickering is attending his third Red Deer Rebels training camp after failing to secure a roster spot last season. Instead, he played for the Winkler Flyers of the Manitoba Junior A Hockey League, recording two goals and 15 assists in 29 games, plus a goal in four playoff games, before appearing in two playoff games with the Rebels.
Pickering missed a significant stretch of the season after breaking his thumb in November, an injury that required surgery and an 11-week recovery. He said he used that time to train in the gym up to seven days a week, and the injury is now fully healed.
The Rebels selected Pickering 15th overall in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft. During the 2024-25 season, he had 21 points in 28 games with the RINK Hockey Academy U18 Prep team in Winnipeg. Rebels owner Brent Sutter said last April he expected Pickering to make the jump to the WHL this season if ready.
Pickering said he has added weight and worked on his skating speed and defensive game over the summer. Rebels training camp continues through the weekend and Monday, wrapping up Tuesday with the Black and White intrasquad game at the Centrium.
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