St Louis Blues Make Tough Decision With Top Prospect

The St Louis Blues have come to a decision and forward Jake Neighbours is unfortunately heading back to the Western Hockey League's Edmonton Oil Kings.

Neighbours was the Blues first-round selection at the 2020 draft and has played in nine games so far during the 2021-22 season. While the production on the score sheet hasn't been off the charts, with only one goal and one assist, Neighbours showed his poise with the puck, offensive and defensive instincts and a high hockey IQ that's going to take him a long way in the league.

Blues forward Tyler Bozak spoke to NHL.com and had this to say about the youngster's game:

I think he's a great player. He's very mature for his age, does a ton of the little things out there, all the tough stuff. He battles extremely hard and has a ton of skill on top of it. He's been fun to play with, he's a great player and he's going to have a really long career.

Neighbours was even killing penalties for St Louis and to do that at 19 years old speaks volumes about what the franchise thinks of one of their top prospects. Look for Neighbours to rip up the WHL this season after his time spent in the show.