Oilers agree to terms with Nugent-Hopkins

Press Release

General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on a three-year NHL entry level contract.

Nugent-Hopkins, who was drafted first overall by the Oilers on June 24th at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in St. Paul, Minnesota, will put on an Oilers jersey for the first time starting Monday when he participates in the Oilers 2011 Development Camp at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park.

The 6’1”, 175-pound Burnaby, British Columbia native was drafted first overall by the Western Hockey League’s Red Deer Rebels and debuted with the Rebels as an underage player in the 2008-09 season, where he played in five games scoring twice and adding four assists. In 2009-10, Nugent-Hopkins was named WHL Rookie of the Year, after recording 65 points (24G, 41A) in 67 games. He was also a finalist for Canadian Hockey League Rookie of the Year as his 65 points put him tied for 4th in the league in points.

Internationally, Nugent-Hopkins represented Team Canada at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in which he served as an alternate captain on the team, and scored the game winning goal in the gold medal game against the United States. Nugent-Hopkins finished the tournament as Canada's leading scorer with five goals and two assists in five games. During the 2010-11 season, Nugent-Hopkins was also invited to try out at Canada’s 2011 National Junior Team selection camp.

The 2011 Oilers Development Camp runs from July 4-9 at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park as Nugent-Hopkins and 30 of his teammates will take to the ice each day with on-ice sessions running from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The 2011 Oilers Development Camp is open to the public.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)