The St. Louis Blues expect big things out of prospect Jake Neighbours, and he added another impressive feat to his resume this week.
Neighbours and the Edmonton Oil Kings captured the 2022 Western Hockey League (WHL) Championship on Monday night, defeating the Seattle Thunderbirds 2-0 in Game 6 for a 4-2 series win. Neighbours assisted on both goals.
The 20-year-old forward and team captain totaled 17 points (3g, 14a) in 19 playoff games. Edmonton only lost three games throughout the entire postseason en route to the title.
The Blues’ first-round draft pick (26th overall) in 2020, Neighbours started the year in the NHL. He registered one goal and one assist in nine games with the Blues before being assigned to the WHL. Shortly after his return to Edmonton, the Oil Kings named Neighbours as their captain. He posted 45 points (17 goals, 28 assists) and a +24 plus/minus rating in 30 regular-season games with the team.
With the WHL Championship secured, the Oil Kings now advance to the 2022 Memorial Cup. Games begin June 20 in Saint John, New Brunswick.
