Jake Neighbours signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. He was drafted 26th overall in the first round by the Blues in the 2020 NHL draft.
Jake Neighbours, the Blues' first-round 2020 #NHLDraft pick, has agreed to terms on a three-year entry-level deal. https://t.co/msEP98sbzm #stlblues
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) October 17, 2020
Jake Neighbours Signed Entry-Level Contract with Blues
Neighbours has spent the last three years in the WHL, playing all three seasons with the Edmonton Oil Kings. Last season, the left-winger played 64 games, scoring 23 times and dishing out 47 assists for 70 points. In 122 games, Neighbours has put up 34 goals, 64 assists, and 98 points. In the 2018-29 playoffs, he played 16 games with 4 goals and 8 assists for 12 points. He also is a relatively clean player, only having 15 penalties in minutes last season.
Looking to the Future
Neighbours is a solid option for the Blues this upcoming season. He is average physically, only 6′ 0 and 195 pounds. But he is an extremely hard worker and willing to plan anywhere the team needs him. Doug Armstrong, the Blues general manager, liked what he saw out of Neighbours. Armstrong felt that Neighbours could play in many different lines with different players around him, and still produce to his highest potential. He’s a good fit for the Blues style, a physical and grinder type player who can play a 200-foot game.
He is an explosive skater that allows him to win foot races and maintain puck possession. Neighbours also is a solid defensive player who is willing to get in the shooting lane and block shots, similar to many other forwards on the Blues team. Neighbours will likely play middle-six minutes and could be an option for the second power-play unit or penalty-kill unit. Armstrong and head coach Craig Berube love to have their forwards be physical, play defensively when possible, and block shots. Neighbours can do all of that to a very high level. In addition, Neighbours has a strong offensive presence and is willing to win corner battles. All of these qualities will make Neighbours a great player for the Blues.
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