Penguins sign first-round pick Pickering to entry-level contract

Owen Pickering at the Penguins' development camp.The Penguins signed their first-round pick Owen Pickering to his three-year, entry-level contract, Ron Hextall announced on Saturday.

The contract will begin once Pickering turns pro.

At 18 years old, Pickering isn't yet eligible to play in the minor leagues. Because of the NHL-CHL transfer agreement, his options are either to go straight to the NHL or return to his junior team until he's 20 years old.

Pickering, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound defenseman, will return to the Swift Current Broncos in the WHL, where he'll likely play two more seasons before turning pro.

The benefit to Pickering signing his entry-level contract now is that it will lower his…