2024-25 Team: Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Date of Birth: April 2, 2006
Place of Birth: Edmonton, Alberta
Ht: 6-foot-0 Wt: 190 pounds
Shoots: Right
Position: Defenseman
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2025 second-year eligible
Bryce Pickford was one of the most exciting defensemen in the Western Hockey League (WHL) this season, playing a big role in the Medicine Hat Tigers’ deep playoff run. He stands out because of how well he can score, but his game is more than just that. He’s responsible in his own end, moves the puck well, and is elite at breaking pucks out of the defensive zone.
The Seattle Thunderbirds selected Pickford 38th overall in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, and since then, he’s developed into a high-impact offensive player. His natural offensive instincts have been a major factor in his success, seen during his breakout 2021–22 season, when he led the NAHL U18 in goals with 34. That same season, he played an important role in helping the Wainwright Bisons capture the NEAJBHL championship.
He won his first WHL championship with Seattle in 2023 and has now added another title this season with Medicine Hat. Wearing an “A” on his jersey, Pickford finished the regular season with 47 points in 48 games while also keeping a strong plus/minus rating of plus-34, showing his ability to generate offense without giving up much defensively. His playoff run was even better— 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) in 18 playoff games, helping the Tigers lift the WHL championship trophy after defeating the Spokane Chiefs.
Make that NINE STRAIGHT games with a goal for Bryce Pickford…
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 24, 2025
He is a defenceman. pic.twitter.com/vSMyIYWpJa
The Tigers later made it to the Memorial Cup Final, but just recently lost to the London Knights in the championship game.
Pickford’s ability to break pucks out of the defensive zone is one of his best assets. He transitions play quickly, makes smart passes under pressure, and creates space for his teammates. Despite his offensive nature, he plays a responsible defensive game too, knowing when to step up and when to hold back for the most part.
He went undrafted in 2024, but it surely shouldn’t happen this time around. His production and ability to perform in big moments all make him an intriguing prospect for NHL teams looking for a puck-moving defenseman who can control the game, especially in the offensive zone and on the power play.
Pickford has a great one-timer and a wicked, accurate wrister, making him a legit offensive threat. Over the past WHL and Memorial Cup playoffs, he has cemented himself as an elite two-way defenseman, showing his ability to take over play at both ends of the ice.
Make it 12 goals in the last 9 games for Bryce Pickford!
— Medicine Hat Tigers (@tigershockey) May 24, 2025Ward
St. Martin pic.twitter.com/KpjsYZ2W5f
In my opinion, he is very much a sleeper pick in this year’s draft, and one I will be adding to my five sleeper picks in this year’s draft article, coming out soon.
Pickford is not getting the hype I think he deserves across most media outlets, most likely due to his size. Right now, he is a projected late second to seventh round pick according to media outlets, but I would not be shocked to see him go in the second round.
“Pickford breezes through his minutes. He’s a risk- mitigating defender who keeps attacks to the outside, wins battles for retrievals, and eliminates off-puck threats. From the point, he manages space by stepping in or laterally to pressure before passing or faking and shooting. He flashes some puck carrying and vision on breakouts, too.” – Elite Prospects 2024 NHL Draft Guide
“Bryce Pickford showcased a solid skill set on the ice, particularly in his ability to effectively transition between offense and defense. He demonstrated strong puck-moving skills, which allowed him to efficiently join the rush and contribute to both zone exits and entries. While he tends to excel more in the offensive zone, Pickford’s decent positioning abilities make him a reliable transitional defenseman. However, there are moments where he struggles with reacting quickly enough to plays or making the physical choice over the best defensive play. Despite this, his ability to exit the zone with the puck helps mitigate these issues.” – Neutral Zone Scouting
Pickford has high NHL upside as a two-way defenseman who could eventually make an impact on an NHL roster if he improves his defensive positioning at times. I’m not saying he’ll reach Cale Makar’s level, but given their similar size and offensive style—both possessing wicked wristers—I think he could develop a playing style along those lines in the future.
It remains to be seen whether he’ll follow the path of many Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players this offseason and head to the NCAA, but I believe it would be a great move for his development. The NCAA plays fewer games than the CHL and features a tighter-checking style, which would better prepare him for the physicality of the American Hockey League (AHL)/NHL. That said, regardless of which path he takes, I think his future looks very bright.
Risk/Reward Analysis
Risk – 2/5, Reward – 4.5/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential
Offense – 8.5/10, Defense – 7.5/10
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
The Toronto Maple Leafs may not be done reshaping their forward group, and analyst Jay Rosehill believes a bold trade for New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck could be the answer. Speaking on LeafsNation, Rosehill said Trocheck would be a perfect fit in Toronto’s middle-six. “He’s 32 years old, so he’s got the experience. I just think that you put him in this lineup, he would fit.” Rosehill added, “It’s like there’s kind of a big missing piece in this forward group, kind of in that middle-six type of deal. And to fill it with a high-end guy like Trocheck, it would just be like, the balance would just be humming.” h/t to nyrangersinsider.com With Mitch Marner gone via free agency, the Leafs have added depth pieces like Nic Roy and Mattias Maccelli. But GM Brad Treliving admitted on July 1 that the team still needs a top-six forward. Trocheck just posted a 59-point season (26 goals, 33 assists). He’s an offensively productive player, can play with an edge, and has playoff experience. He’s also under contract for four more seasons at a $5.625 million cap hit, meaning the cost to acquire him would be significant. Still, he could provide Toronto with long-term stability up front. With his high-energy style and proven postseason impact, he’s exactly the type of player Toronto needs to help push for a Stanley Cup.
Left-handed starting pitcher Blake Snell is in his tenth major-league season after making his debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016. Snell spent time with the San Diego Padres, then signed a deal with the San Francisco Giants after the 2023 season, which he later opted out of to enter free agency in 2024. The 32-year-old veteran signed a five-year, $182 million contract this offseason with the Los Angeles Dodgers after an exceptional 2024 campaign. Snell earned such a lucrative contract thanks to his outstanding career to date, which includes two Cy Young Awards and an All-Star appearance. Over 213 career starts, he owns a 77–58 record, a 3.18 ERA and 1,372 strikeouts. Snell was placed on the injured list on April 6 (retroactive to April 3) with left shoulder inflammation after experiencing discomfort during a bullpen session; he had made only two starts for the Dodgers before the injury. After four minor-league rehab outings, manager Dave Roberts announced on Sunday that Snell is expected to rejoin the rotation next week. With his return looming, the Dodgers have decided to shift to a six-man rotation but now face a decision on right-hander Dustin May’s roster status. May returned to a full-time starting role for the first time in two seasons and has struggled. On Sunday against the Boston Red Sox, May allowed four runs in five innings of work, and he entered the start with an ERA of 4.73. May’s name has surfaced in trade rumors, and he is a candidate to potentially be moved to the bullpen. He is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
There may be more to Christian Wilkins’ recent surprise release from the Las Vegas Raiders. NFL reporter Josina Anderson reported Saturday that "some sources believe an incident involving a teammate may have factored in-part into the Raiders' fatigue and release" of Wilkins. The nature of the incident is not clear. However, many believe the Raiders had a very good reason to move on from Wilkins considering the money they had invested in him. It also suggests the Raiders saw no alternative if they went straight to a release. Wilkins was dumped by the Raiders just one year into a four-year, $110 million deal. The Raiders suggested Wilkins failed to take rehab seriously as he tries to work his way back from a foot injury. Other teams do not appear to have the same concerns about Wilkins as the Raiders did, and he should find a new landing spot fairly easily. That is one of the reasons some suspect there is more to the Raiders’ decision than they are publicly saying.
New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is fiery. New York wide receiver Malik Nabers learned that during an intense pickup basketball game. During a Friday interview with Bleacher Report, Nabers revealed he and Dart "got into it" during a pickup game at Giants QB Russell Wilson's house this summer. The second-year WR said he got into the rookie passer's face, asking what he was "going to do?" He then showed the pass-catcher he wasn't going to back down. "I stepped right back to him, no hesitation at all," Dart said Sunday at training camp, via Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com and The Record. "I don't ever want to be in a position where I'm gonna lose, so [Malik] challenged me, I challenged him right back. If you're not going to give it you're all in everything you do, then you're probably gonna lose." In doing so, Dart earned the respect of Nabers. Asked his opinion of the 22-year-old QB, the one-time Pro Bowler said he's "a dog." Dart's confidence is one key reason he's making progress at training camp after a rocky start. The Ole Miss product threw a pick-six on his first pass of 11-on-11 drills on July 23. During his fourth practice on Sunday, however, he looked much sharper. According to Stapleton, he went 11-of-13 during team drills, despite rainy weather at the team's facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Dart isn't expected to be the team's QB1 this season. The Giants signed Wilson, a Super Bowl champion, to a one-year deal in free agency. Head coach Brian Daboll confirmed he's the starter at the start of camp. The Giants still want Dart to become the guy. New York traded back into the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to grab him with pick No. 25. It bodes well for New York that Dart is already improving. It's also good that Nabers — who led the team in receiving yards (1,204 in 15 games) last season— is gravitating toward him.