In 2011, the Edmonton Oilers selected Ryan Nugent-Hopkins first overall in the 2011 NHL Draft. Now he has played 1000 games with the Oilers. Is he the most beloved Oiler to wear orange and blue?
Nugent-Hopkins is the first Oiler in history to play all 1000 games with the franchise. Looking back from the start of his career to now, it is quite remarkable how we got here.
Road to the NHL
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins grew up in Burnaby, British Columbia, playing minor hockey for the Burnaby Winter Club Bruins, a high skill hockey club in southern BC. He lead the U15 A1 team to the Bantam championships, earning the BC Player of the Year award. While the team won silver in the end, Nugent-Hopkins finished the 2007–08 season with 214 points (119 goals and 95 assists), which earned him the tournament MVP award. This was the beginning of the NHL prospecting that would eventually lead him to the Oilers dressing room.
The next year, Nugent-Hopkins was drafted by the Red Deer Rebels, where he played the next three seasons. In 2008–09, he only played five games, tallying two goals and four assists for a total of six points. The following year, 2009–10, he had a much fuller season. He played 67 games, scored 24 goals, and assisted on 41 more for a total of 65 points. In his final season as a Rebel, he played in 69 games. He scored 31 times and assisted 75 for a total of 106 points, placing him fourth in points behind current Vegas Golden Knight, Mark Stone. At this point, he was already a big discussion piece around the NHL. When draft season came along, he caught the eyes of NHL prospects across the league.
That summer, in the 2011 NHL Draft, the Oilers selected him first overall. He was chosen ahead of Gabriel Landeskog (Colorado Avalanche), Jonathan Huberdeau (Florida Panthers), and former Oilers blue-liner, Adam Larsson. This was the second first-round pick that the Oilers had in a row, the first being Taylor Hall.
Early years: Decade of darkness
The following year, he started off with the Oklahoma City Barons. They used to be the AHL affiliate before they moved to Bakersfield in the 2015 AHL season. This only lasted for 19 games until he was recalled to the Edmonton Oilers, and when they saw his style of play, sleek hands and elevated hockey IQ, he wasn’t only put on the full time roster, he signed his first big NHL extension to lock him in for the next seven years.
The baby-faced phenom continued to play among the top six forwards, in lineup combinations of Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall, Benoit Pouliot, and eventually, Leon Draisaitl. This is when he started elevating his game even further, showing up night after night, playing with pace, and always a great attitude.
In the 2016–17 season was the first time the Edmonton Oilers made it into the playoffs in 10 years, putting an end to the “decade of darkness.” By this point, RNH had found his legs in the NHL at the age of 23, and played a massive part in the Oilers success. Though they fell short to the Anahiem Ducks in a seven game series, he played a massive part both on and off the ice.
Recent years: Masterclass first liner
When you hear about Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, you never get negative feedback; he is always talked about in a high regard by his teammates, friends and coaches. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is a masterclass first-liner, not because he overwhelms games with flash, but because he quietly controls them with precision. His value starts with his elite hockey IQ, play reading ability, and an incredible sense of timing that allows stars around him to play faster and freer.
He supports below the goal line like a veteran centre. He also arrives in scoring areas when he is required to be there. Whether he’s playing off the half wall, killing penalties, or finishing with a deceptively lethal release on the first power play unit, Nugent-Hopkins is what modern first-line masterclass looks like. He displays tenacity, grit and once every couple of years, the ability to throw the gloves with the best of them.
In 1001 NHL games played, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has found the back of the net 283 times, and was part of another 505 goals bringing the Oilers out of the “decade of darkness,” and back to being a Stanley Cup contending team. His veteran presence and playoff experience makes him one of the most, if not the most, valuable player in the Oilers lineup today. He’s calm, cool and collected, and makes sure that he is always in control of himself, and in most cases, the game.
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Is he the most beloved player in Edmonton Oilers history?
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins started his career with the Oilers playing 62 games. He settled in well, scoring 18 goals and 34 assists for 52 points in his rookie year. He finished second in the Calder Trophy Race, to Gabriel Landeskog, who played a full 82 games, finishing with the same amount of points.
When you think back to some of the other fan favourite players, Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and a bit more recently, Ryan Smyth, all brought something to the table. These contributions made them who they were as players. This was shown to the fan base. Gretzky still holds many major records with the Oilers and the NHL. Messier was loved for his size and his ability to lead the team to many Championship opportunities. Ryan Smyth was just an all-around great guy. I even shed a few tears when he was traded. He was never the best on the ice, but he made it a point to be the hardest worker on the ice. And when called upon, he showed up both on and off the ice.
All of this said, I never saw a campaign started to re-sign any of these three, did you? #keepnugeforever may have been the most influential trend for Edmonton Oilers fans all over the world, with hopes that it helped management realize that they needed to do what it took to continue his career in the City of Edmonton.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins wears the “A” for a reason, and that is due to his leadership and positive attitude. At the end of the day, he isn’t the most beloved Oiler because of a single season, or even a highlight reel—it’s because he represents what all fans of the game wish they could have in a leader of their team. He stayed when leaving would’ve been an easier option. He adapted when the team needed him to. He never once made the story about himself. Through the losing years and uprising ones, Nugent-Hopkins has been a steady heartbeat of the Oilers. He did whatever was asked of him. He never complained about it. And that’s why, when you talk about the most beloved Oiler of all time, Nugent-Hopkins isn’t just part of the conversation. He defines it.
Do you think that he is the most beloved Oiler in history? If not, who would it be?
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
