Get to know defenseman Owen Pickering, who the Penguins drafted 21st overall in 2022

On Fridays during the 2024-25 season, The Hockey News - Pittsburgh will spotlight a Penguins' player through a rapid-fire Q&A session using "get-to-know" questions.

This week, I sat down with Penguins' rookie defenseman Owen Pickering, who was taken 21st overall by Pittsburgh in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Favorite Christmas song: I like "Little Drummer Boy" and "Silent Night." Two of my favorites, probably.

Do you think Die Hard is a Christmas movie? I've seen it, and I don't really understand why it would be a Christmas movie, but some of my buddies think it is. So, I'm kind of torn. I just don't really get it. I didn't watch it with the mentality that it was a Christmas movie. It was more just, like, explosions and stuff. I didn't see any Christmas stuff in it.

Favorite holiday movie: Not exactly holiday, but Mr. Popper's Penguins we'd always watch at Christmastime. Great movie. And then, also, like, Elf and stuff.

Go-to karaoke song: "Headspace" by Lewis Capaldi.

Hey, that's a good one, singing Lewis Capaldi. Yeah, that'd probably be my first. And then, "Traveling Soldier" by The Chicks. I'm a pretty big singer, so...

You a good singer? Yeah. Just go over and ask Hayesy.

Ok, I'll make sure I ask him. K. Actually, can you go ask him? Pop over there and say, "Hey, is Owen a good singer?"

Yeah. I'll pop over there right after we're done here. Okay. Great.

Zombie apocalypse. One teammate. Who are you bringing? (Surveys the room and nameplates on locker stalls for about a minute). Huh.

(Michael Bunting from the other side of the room: "Hey, compliment me! You wouldn't have scored if I didn't put my big a-- in front of the goalie...!"). I would bring Michael Bunting. I'd bring Michael Bunting because he's such a great guy, and he's so fun to be around. And I think he's smart enough to survive a zombie apocalypse.

Gotcha. You wouldn't bring Cody Glass? No. Cody Glass would be the last guy I'd bring. 

Does he have any survival smarts? No. He'd curl up in a ball. He'd legitimately curl up in a ball. And if we were there without his wife, he wouldn't know what to do. He wouldn't know how to survive. So, he'd be the last one I'd choose.

How do you like your steak done? Medium rare.

Have you gone to any good steakhouses in town? We went to Napa Prime, which was pretty good, actually. Me and Tommy (Philip Tomasino) went. Glasser bailed on the dinner. We'll see if he actually follows through in New York tonight. I don't anticipate it. 

Does he owe you a dinner? Oh yeah. He owes me, like, six. 

Hockey idol growing up? I know you've mentioned Travis Sanheim. Anyone else? Yeah, I mean, Sid. Obviously. Tanger. I loved watching Miro Heiskanen, and yeah, Sanheim as well.

Do you have a favorite travel destination? See, I haven't really been anywhere crazy.

Maybe even a favorite road city? All the cities are pretty sick here. Besides, Pittsburgh, obviously, even I still think the best city is Winnipeg. So I'd put Winnipeg up there, probably. 

Dogs or cats: Dogs. 

Fruits or veggies? Fruits.

Coffee or tea? Tea.

Street hockey or mini sticks? Street hockey. 

Alright, well thank you, that was awesome. Aw, Hayesy is gone! Here, ask Petey. Ask him, "Is Owen a good singer?" 

Hey Petey, is Owen a good singer? (Tilts his head). He's alright...