Jake Neighbours Bio
Jake Neighbours is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on March 29, 2002, in Airdrie, Alberta, he plays a physical, two-way style and has developed into a core young forward for the Blues organization. He serves as an alternate captain and continues to represent one of the most promising Canadian forwards of his draft class.
Neighbours was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft with the 26th overall pick. After polishing his game in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Edmonton Oil Kings, he signed his entry-level contract in October 2020 and made his NHL debut during the 2021–22 season. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing around 195 pounds, he combines skill, hockey sense, and a mature temperament that coaches and teammates routinely praise.
Early Life and Background
Jake Neighbours was born on March 29, 2002, in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada. Growing up in a hockey-driven province, he was on the ice from a young age and quickly built a reputation for blending skill with physical play. Airdrie, a city just north of Calgary, gave him easy access to high-level minor hockey, and he became a notable name in the local youth system early on.
Family played a major role in shaping his character. Neighbours has often spoken about the wide age gap between himself and his half and step-siblings, noting that growing up alongside older brothers forced him to mature quickly. In one interview, he explained that once he reached the age of 10 or 11, his brothers no longer wanted an annoying younger kid around, so he learned to be calm and composed to stay included. That early sense of maturity has carried into how he carries himself as a professional athlete.
Path to Hockey
Neighbours began his competitive hockey journey with the Calgary Midget AAA Buffaloes of the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League and the Airdrie Xtreme of the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League. He later transferred to the Kelowna Pursuit of Excellence Bantam Prep team, a well-known program that has produced several NHL players. These early stops allowed him to test himself against elite competition while continuing to develop his offensive game.
His WHL career began when the Edmonton Oil Kings selected him fourth overall in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft. During his draft-eligible season, he posted 68 points in 30 regular-season games and added 11 points in the playoffs. That production established him as a top NHL prospect and set the stage for his rise through major junior hockey.
Jake Neighbours Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Neighbours joined the Edmonton Oil Kings for the 2018–19 WHL season and immediately made an impact as a rookie. He finished the year with 24 points in 47 regular-season games and earned two WHL Rookie of the Month awards. His play helped push the Oil Kings into the post-season, where he was the team’s only rookie to score during the playoffs.
During his sophomore season, he averaged more than a point per game, tallying 70 points in 64 games before the season was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. That year he was invited to the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game and was ranked 30th among North American Skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s midterm rankings. He also received the team’s Most Improved Player Award and Scholastic Award while attending Salisbury Composite High School.
Edmonton Oil Kings Breakthrough (2018–2022)
Selected fourth overall in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft, Neighbours arrived in Edmonton with high expectations and consistently delivered. Across multiple seasons with the Oil Kings, he served as one of the team’s most reliable point producers and a key leader in the locker room. His blend of scoring touch and physical play made him a fan favorite and an obvious top NHL prospect.
The 2021–22 WHL season proved to be his crowning junior achievement. After starting the year with the St. Louis Blues, he was returned to Edmonton, where he posted 17 goals and 28 assists in 30 regular-season games. He then added three goals and 14 assists in 19 playoff games, helping the Oil Kings defeat the Seattle Thunderbirds in six games to capture the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions.
St. Louis Blues Era (2021–Present)
Neighbours signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blues on October 17, 2020, and spent time with the organization’s American Hockey League affiliate before making the NHL roster. He made his NHL debut on October 16, 2021, against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena, skating 9:00 minutes and registering three hits and a shot on goal in a 5–3 Blues win.
Two days later against the Arizona Coyotes, he recorded his first NHL point with the primary assist on the game-winning goal. In his fourth game against the Los Angeles Kings, he scored his first NHL goal, finishing a pass from Brayden Schenn past goaltender Cal Petersen to seal a 7–3 Blues victory. Those early moments marked the arrival of a confident young winger at the NHL level, and he has since grown into an alternate captain and steady contributor for St. Louis.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although he is best described as a power winger rather than a driver, Neighbours brings a hard, straight-line game to the ice. He excels at cycling the puck along the boards, winning battles in the dirty areas of the offensive zone, and getting to the net for tips and rebounds. His coaches have praised his maturity, two-way responsibility, and willingness to play through physical punishment, traits that fit perfectly into a Blues lineup that values detail and structure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most memorable moments are his first NHL goal against the Los Angeles Kings, his first NHL assist against the Arizona Coyotes, and helping the Edmonton Oil Kings win the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2022. Internationally, he captained Canada White at the 2018 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and won a silver medal with Canada at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, milestones that highlighted his leadership at a young age.
Jake Neighbours Career Wins
Jake Neighbours has collected meaningful wins at every level of his hockey journey, from major junior championships to regular NHL victories. His trophy case includes a WHL Championship with the Edmonton Oil Kings and a silver medal from the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with Canada. He has also earned individual recognition such as WHL Rookie of the Month honors and team awards for most improved player and scholastic achievement.
WHL Highlights
During his time with the Edmonton Oil Kings, Neighbours established himself as one of the top young forwards in the Western Hockey League. He posted 24 points as a rookie, reached 70 points in his sophomore season, and capped his junior career with a dominant playoff run that ended in an Ed Chynoweth Cup championship in 2022. He also represented the club at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond junior hockey, Neighbours has contributed to NHL wins with the St. Louis Blues since his debut in October 2021 and has represented Canada at multiple international events. His steady progression from a fourth-overall WHL bantam pick to an NHL alternate captain underscores a career built on consistent improvement.
Jake Neighbours Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Neighbours comes from a blended family with a notable age gap between himself and his older half and step-siblings. He has credited that environment with teaching him maturity and patience at a young age, qualities that have shaped his professional approach to hockey.
Personal Life
Outside of hockey, Neighbours maintains a close relationship with his family and remains connected to his hometown of Airdrie, Alberta. He is active on social media, where fans can follow his updates and community involvement.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Jake Neighbours continues to be a central part of the St. Louis Blues’ young core. As an alternate captain, he is expected to take on a larger leadership role both on and off the ice while contributing consistent offense in a top-six forward role. The Blues are counting on his physical play, forechecking ability, and growing scoring touch to anchor their forward group.
Throughout the season, Neighbours has continued to build on the foundation he established during his rookie NHL campaigns. His combination of size, speed, and two-way responsibility has made him a coach’s favorite, and his chemistry with veteran teammates has been a positive storyline for St. Louis.
Looking ahead, the outlook for Neighbours and the Blues remains promising. With his entry-level deal behind him and a clear role within the organization, Neighbours is positioned to remain a key figure in St. Louis’ long-term plans as the team pushes for a return to Stanley Cup contention.
