Blues select Jake Neighbours with No. 26 pick

The St. Louis Blues drafted forward Jake Neighbours with the 26th overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Jake Neighbours

Position: Left wing
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 201 lbs
Age: 18
Club: Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Nationality: Canadian

(Stats source: EliteProspects.com)

Neighbours took significant strides in 2019-20, ranking second on the Oil Kings in points and fourth in goals during his first full WHL season. He nearly tripled his 2018-19 point production this past campaign while playing only 17 more regular-season games.

However, Neighbours' breakout actually began during the 2018-19 playoffs, when he helped the Oil Kings reach the Eastern Conference Final by racking up four goals and eight assists in 16 contests as a WHL rookie.

Neighbours finished the 2019-20 season as the 26th-best North American skater on NHL Central Scouting's rankings after placing 30th at the midterm.

What they're saying

"Neighbours has a bullet of a shot and scored several goals this past season that goalies had little to no chance on," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote. "He competes hard. He doesn't shy from physical engagement and is a solid penalty killer. I could see him (becoming) a quality bottom-six forward in the NHL and, if he gains a step, I could see him (becoming) more than that."

"He's one of those forwards I'd put in the 'power forward with good skill who can make plays' category," Oil Kings head coach Brad Lauer told NHL.com's Dave McCarthy in April. "But he's also a big body who can play a heavy game in those tight, below-the-goal-line, getting-to-the-net type(s) of games. He's got that ability to be that big man and the ability to make plays with good hands and a good hockey sense. He doesn't shy away from tough areas and that is a strongpoint of his game."

Highlights