Here at EP Rinkside, we’re unveiling a new weekly column. Scout’s Notebook focuses on the weekly hockey-watch of myself and my colleague David St-Louis.

I’m writing the inaugural column, so let’s start with my region: the WHL. Today’s notebook features some thoughts on one of the most exciting defensive prospects in Western Canada, the complex start of Matthew Savoie, the lethality of Connor Bedard’s shot, and a breakdown on the low-scoring but high-impact Minnesota Wild prospect, Kyle Masters.

Owen Pickering, D, Swift Current Broncos (2022 Eligible)  

Pickering’s ability will almost certainly get reduced to “he’s big.” Not just by armchair analysts, but NHL teams who value size with a bit of mobility above all else. That would be a mistake, even with his mediocre point totals.

Of the man