Pickering soaking in ‘surreal’ WHL debut
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller
Graeme Pickering is learning this bit of wisdom firsthand this week as he enjoys his first taste of Western Hockey life with the Red Deer Rebels.
With veteran blue liners Jace Weir (injury) and Keaton Dowhaniuk (suspension) unavailable, Pickering was called in to make his WHL debut Wednesday night in Brandon.
“It was a little crazy, quite surreal,” he said Thursday. “I didn’t really know what was going on, but I’m still letting it soak in. I don’t fully know exactly what happened, but it was really cool. I really enjoyed it.”
Pickering, who hails from St. Adolphe, Manitoba and is playing this season with Rink Hockey Academy Winnipeg U18, had the added of playing his first game in The Dub in front of a large cheering section.
“My parents came out to watch, and a whole bunch of friends. Too bad, my brother and sister, they’re busy with their own hockey, so they couldn’t watch. But they watched online.”
Wins have been tough to come by for his club team this season, but Pickering is doing his part from the blue line with 17 points in 20 games. He was also a tournament all-star for Team Manitoba at the 2024 WHL Cup last October at the Peavey Mart Centrium.
“I’ve been slowly building my confidence. At the start of the year, I was a little bit shy with the puck. I wasn’t making as many plays as I usually do, but I think I’m slowly building my confidence, and I’m getting my game to where I want it to be,” he suggested.
He doesn’t need to look far for inspiration with older brother Owen (Swift Current Broncos, Pittsburgh Penguins) and cousin Denton Mateychuk (Moose Jaw Warriors, Columbus Blue Jackets) showing him what it takes to be an elite defenceman.
“It’s just their work ethic on and off the ice and how they carry themselves, and they’re just good people. So, I definitely look up to them every day.”
Not to be outdone, Graeme’s sister Avery plays defence for Colgate University (NCAA).
Pickering travelled with the Rebels from Brandon to Regina indicating he may not have to wait long for his next taste of WHL game action.
“I’m just going with the flow. I wasn’t really expecting to stay with the team. I thought I was just playing (Wednesday), so I have no clothes, no nothing. I kind of I’m just along for the ride and just trying to do my best and get better.”
The Rebels and Pats meet Friday night for the third time this month (6 p.m. MT on CHL TV and 106.7 REWIND Radio). Red Deer is 0-1-1 versus Regina thus far. Following a Saturday night tilt in Moose Jaw, the Rebels head home to Red Deer to play 11 of their next 12 games at home.