Darnell Nurse Explained

Team:Edmonton Oilers
League:NHL
Ntl Team:Canada
Position:Defence
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lb:215
Shoots:Left
Birth Date:4 February 1995
Birth Place:Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Draft:7th overall
Draft Team:Edmonton Oilers
Draft Year:2013
Career Start:2014

Darnell Nurse (born February 4, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nurse was selected by the Oilers seventh overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Early life

Nurse was born on February 4, 1995, in Hamilton, Ontario.[1] Both of his parents were athletes in their youth: his father Richard Nurse played as a wide receiver for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League, while his mother Cathy was a college basketball player for the McMaster Marauders.[2] As a child, Nurse played football, basketball, lacrosse, and ice hockey, but by high school, he was only playing the latter. His father was worried that Nurse would suffer an injury playing football, while he was, in his own words, "just no good" at basketball.[3]

Standing 6feet and weighing by the age of 15, Nurse established himself quickly as a strong, physically assertive defenceman for the Don Mills Flyers minor ice hockey team.[4]

Playing career

Major junior

Nurse was selected third overall by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the 2011 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection.[5] After two seasons with the Greyhounds, he was selected seventh overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.[6] On July 25, the Oilers signed Nurse to a three-year, entry-level contract.[7] He was returned to the Greyhounds for the 2013–14 season. Prior to the season beginning, he was named team captain.[8] He scored a career-high 50 points in 64 games. After the Greyhounds' season ended, Nurse joined the Oilers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons. He skated in four regular season games as well as three playoff games.

Edmonton Oilers

Nurse made the Oilers' opening night roster for the 2014–15 season, but did not partake in the team's first three games.[9] He made his NHL debut on October 14 in a 6–1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.[10] After skating in two games for the team, the Oilers sent Nurse back to the Greyhounds on October 17.[11] Nurse began the 2015–16 season with the Oilers' new AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors.[12] After six games with the Condors, the Oilers recalled Nurse on October 26.[13] On October 27, Nurse scored his first career NHL goal in a 4–3 loss to the Minnesota Wild.[14] On March 10, 2016, Nurse was suspended three games for "serving as the aggressor" during an altercation with San Jose Sharks defenceman Roman Polák.[15] [16] He finished his rookie season skating in 69 games for the Oilers and nine for the Condors.

On December 12, 2016, the Oilers announced Nurse underwent successful ankle surgery that would sideline him for up to 12 weeks.[17] After a 35-game absence, he returned on February 26, 2017, in a 5–4 loss to the Nashville Predators.[18]

On September 17, 2018, the Oilers re-signed Nurse to a two-year, $6.4 million contract extension.[19]

On October 1, 2019, Nurse (alongside Leon Draisaitl) was named an alternate captain for the Oilers.[20] On February 10, 2020, the Oilers signed Nurse to a two-year, $11.2 million contract extension.[21] [22]

On August 6, 2021, Nurse signed an eight-year, $74 million extension with the Oilers.[23]

International play

During the 2011–12 season he won a bronze medal with Team Ontario at the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and was named to the Tournament All-Star Team.[24] That same season, Nurse was one of only four underage players[25] to play with Team Canada at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships, winning the bronze medal.

During the 2012–13 season he played with Team Canada to win a gold medal at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.[26] Nurse was also an invited participant at the 2013 CHL Top Prospects Game.[27]

He won gold with Canada at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship and was named one of Canada's top three players, as well as the player of the match for the gold medal game against Russia.[28]

On April 12, 2018, Nurse and teammates Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins were named to the Team Canada's 2018 IIHF World Championship roster.[29]

On April 29, 2019, Nurse returned to the international stage to be named to the Team Canada roster for the 2019 IIHF World Championship held in Slovakia.[30] Nurse helped Canada progress through to the playoff rounds before losing the final to Finland to finish with the Silver Medal on May 26, 2019.[31] He completed the tournament posting 2 goals and 4 points from the blueline in 10 games.

Personal life

Nurse attended St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School[32] and St. Mary's College, where he was awarded the Bobby Smith Trophy for "OHL Scholastic Player of the Year" following the 2012–13 season.[33]

Nurse and his wife Mikayla have two sons.[34]

Family sports connections

He is the son of former Canadian Football League wide receiver Richard Nurse.[35] His sister, Kia, currently plays for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She won two NCAA championships with the Connecticut Huskies,[36] [37] and is a member of the Canadian national team. His cousin Sarah Nurse[38] won a gold medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics with the Canadian national ice hockey team and a silver medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics and is a forward for the PWHL Toronto professional women's hockey team.[39] [40] His uncle Donovan McNabb was an NFL quarterback who played in six Pro Bowls and had his number retired by the Philadelphia Eagles.[41] [42]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Team League GP GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11St. Michael's BuzzersOJHL2 0 0 0 4
2011–12Sault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsOHL53 1 9 10 61
2012–13Sault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsOHL68 12 29 41 1166 1 3 4 6
2013–14Sault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsOHL64 13 37 50 919 3 5 8 12
2013–14Oklahoma City BaronsAHL4 0 1 1 03 0 1 1 7
2014–15Edmonton OilersNHL2 0 0 0 0
2014–15Sault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsOHL36 10 23 33 5814 3 5 8 26
2015–16Bakersfield CondorsAHL9 0 2 2 7
2015–16Edmonton OilersNHL69 3 7 10 60
2016–17Edmonton OilersNHL44 5 6 11 3313 0 2 2 6
2017–18Edmonton OilersNHL82 6 20 26 67
2018–19Edmonton OilersNHL82 10 31 41 87
2019–20Edmonton OilersNHL71 5 28 33 484 0 2 2 6
2020–21Edmonton OilersNHL56 16 20 36 574 0 1 1 2
2021–22Edmonton OilersNHL71 9 26 35 54152 4 6 26
2022–23Edmonton OilersNHL82 12 31 43 6411 0 4 4 21
2023–24Edmonton OilersNHL81 10 22 32 7925 2 4 6 12
NHL totals640 76 191 267 54972 4 17 21 73

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2012Canada OntarioU1751238
2012CanadaU18700014
2012CanadaIH1850004
2015CanadaWJC70116
2018CanadaWC4th100114
2019Canada WC102248
Junior totals2413432
Senior totals2023512

Awards and honours

AwardsYear
World U-17 Hockey Challenge All-Star Team2012
IIHF World U18 Championships Bronze Medal 2012[43]
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament Gold Medal2012[44]
CHL Top Prospects Game2013[45]
IIHF World U20 Championships Gold Medal2015[46]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Darnell Nurse Stats and News . September 13, 2021 . NHL.com . National Hockey League.
  2. News: Wharnsby . Tim . December 23, 2011 . Athletic bloodlines run in the Nurse family . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20131026111216/http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/hockey/opinion/2011/12/athletic-bloodlines-run-in-the-nurse-family.html . 2013-10-26 . . Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
  3. News: Campbell . Tim . 2020-02-28 . Nurse leans on prominent athletes in family to find success with Oilers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240604134429/https://www.nhl.com/news/oilers-defenseman-darnell-nurse-family-support-group-315607050 . 2024-06-04 . NHL.com . . . New York City.
  4. News: Kennedy . Ryan . November 18, 2010 . Darnell Nurse . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210723202906/https://www.si.com/hockey/news/darnell-nurse . 2021-07-23 . September 13, 2021 . . Sports Illustrated.
  5. Web site: Ontario Hockey League . Ontario Hockey League . 2011-05-07 . OHL Draft Class of 2011: Top 10 Picks . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170802105728/http://ontariohockeyleague.com/ohl-draft-class-of-2011-top-10-picks . 2017-08-02 . ontariohockeyleague.com . Scarborough, Ontario.
  6. Web site: McCurdy . Bruce . 2013-06-30 . Edmonton Oilers draft Darnell Nurse 7th overall . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180316052633/https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/oilers-pick-darnell-nurse-at-7-overall . 2018-03-16 . Edmonton Journal.
  7. Web site: Edmonton Oilers . 2013-07-25 . Oilers ink Nurse to entry-level contract . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141028212157/http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=678921 . 2014-10-28 . EdmontonOilers.com . Edmonton Oilers.
  8. Web site: 2013-06-25 . Greyhounds announce Leadership Group including Captain Darnell Nurse . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20220810224553/https://ontariohockeyleague.com/five-players-named-to-hounds-leadership-group-captain-alternates-announced/ . 2022-08-10 . 2013-06-25 . ontariohockeyleague.com . . Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
  9. Web site: Tychkowski . Robert . 2014-10-11 . Edmonton Oilers 'need the points' against Vancouver Canucks . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210427051354/https://edmontonsun.com/2014/10/11/edmonton-oilers-need-the-points-against-vancouver-canucks/wcm/aa31fc7c-bc84-4eec-b11f-d7c04241af56 . 2021-04-27 . . Edmonton.
  10. Web site: Tychkowski . Robert . 2014-10-15 . Oilers unable to match Kings goal output, dig themselves early hole . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210429053508/https://edmontonsun.com/2014/10/14/edmonton-oilers-vs-the-los-angeles-kings-at-the-staples-centre-oct-15 . 2021-04-29 . 2024-06-03 . . . en . . 2014-10-15.
  11. Web site: Edmonton Oilers . 2014-10-17 . #Oilers recall d-man Martin Marincin from @OKCBarons, assign fwd Steve Pinizzotto to OKC and d-man Darnell Nurse to Sault Ste. Marie (OHL). . deviated . https://web.archive.org/web/20210428003929/https://twitter.com/edmontonoilers/status/523135742596640768 . 2021-04-28 . . Posted by @EdmontonOilers, the official account of the team . Edmonton Oilers .
  12. Web site: Edmonton Oilers . Edmonton Oilers . 2015-09-30 . #Oilers assign Darnell Nurse, Mitch Moroz, Martin Gernat & Iiro Pakarinen to @Condors . Roster now sits at 28 players (3G, 10D, 15F). . deviated . https://web.archive.org/web/20210507183810/https://twitter.com/edmontonoilers/status/649263687769784320 . 2021-05-07 . . Posted by @EdmontonOilers, the official account of the team.
  13. Web site: Edmonton Oilers . Edmonton Oilers . 2015-10-26 . The #Oilers have recalled d-man Darnell Nurse from the @Condors and placed d-man Griffin Reinhart on IR. . deviated . https://web.archive.org/web/20210427051350/https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/658783948906999808 . 2021-04-27 . . Posted by @EdmontonOilers, the official account of the team.
  14. Web site: Campbell . Dave . 2015-10-27 . Wild score 43 seconds apart in 3rd period to beat Oilers 4-3 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170207150821/https://globalnews.ca/news/2303310/wild-score-43-seconds-apart-in-3rd-period-to-beat-oilers-4-3/ . February 7, 2017 . globalnews.ca . . . .
  15. Web site: NHL Department of Player Safety . 2016-03-10 . Edmonton's Darnell Nurse suspended 3 games under Rule 46.2 Aggressor of an altercation with San Jose's Roman Polak. . deviated . https://web.archive.org/web/20210427051353/https://twitter.com/NHLPlayerSafety/status/707976585689829376 . 2021-04-27 . . . Posted by @NHLPlayerSafety, an official account of the NHL.
  16. Web site: 2016-03-10 . Darnell Nurse suspended 3 Games . NHL.com . . Video.
  17. Web site: 2016-12-12 . Darnell Nurse of Oilers to miss up to 12 weeks . https://web.archive.org/web/20190913024026/https://www.nhl.com/news/oilers-darnell-nurse-out-after-ankle-surgery/c-284637782 . 2019-09-13 . NHL.com . National Hockey League.
  18. Web site: 2017-02-26 . Filip Forsberg, James Neal lead Predators over Oilers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170302010816/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/filip-forsberg-james-neal-lead-predators-oilers/ . 2017-03-02 . sportsnet.ca . . . . Associated Press.
  19. Web site: Romero . Diego . 2018-09-17 . Darnell Nurse signs $3.2M AAV deal with Oilers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210427082521/https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/darnell-nurse-signs-3-2m-aav-deal-with-oilers-1.4097388 . 2021-04-27 . ctvnews.ca . . . Toronto.
  20. Web site: 2019-10-01 . Oilers name Darnell Nurse, Leon Draisaitl alternate captains . deviated . https://web.archive.org/web/20191208195932/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/oilers-name-darnell-nurse-leon-draisaitl-alternate-captains/ . 2019-12-08 . sportsnet.ca . . Toronto.
  21. Web site: 2020-02-10 . Nurse signs two-year contract with Oilers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210305082718/https://www.nhl.com/news/darnell-nurse-two-year-deal-edmonton-oilers/c-314875188 . 2021-03-05 . NHL.com . National Hockey League.
  22. Web site: Matheson . Jim . 2020-02-09 . Two-year deal for Nurse just what Oilers' doctor ordered . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200210112317/https://edmontonsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/edmonton-oilers/two-year-deal-for-nurse-just-what-oilers-doctor-ordered . 2020-02-10 . Edmonton Sun.
  23. Web site: 2021-08-06 . NHL.com staff writer Tim Campbell contributed to this report . Nurse signs eight-year contract extension with Oilers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240603153420/https://www.nhl.com/news/edmonton-oilers-darnell-nurse-contract-325924978 . 2024-06-03 . NHL.com . National Hockey League.
  24. News: Girard . Daniel . 2012-01-02 . OHL: Darnell Nurse, a Greyhound with impeccable pedigree . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240603140948/https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/ohl-darnell-nurse-a-greyhound-with-impeccable-pedigree/article_2981bad9-cbfa-50dc-9ec3-2141f6a1f06e.html . 2024-06-03 . 2013-06-07 . . Toronto.
  25. Web site: Verdone . Mike . 2012-08-07 . Hounds defenceman gets Team Canada nod . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140513011958/http://www.saultstar.com/2012/08/07/hounds-defenceman-gets-team-canada-nod . 2014-05-13 . . Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
  26. Web site: 2013-05-06 . Darnell Nurse and U18 Team Wins Gold in Slovakia . saultsports.com . . May 12, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140512232020/http://saultsports.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1856:darnell-nurse-and-u18-team-wins-gold-in-slovakia&catid=1:latest&Itemid=2 . dead .
  27. News: Klein . Jeff . Jeff Klein . 2013-06-17 . Nurse climbing to the top in Hockey after selecting a different path . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130628054459/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/18/sports/hockey/nurse-climbing-to-the-top-in-hockey-after-selecting-a-different-path.html?_r=0 . 2013-06-28 . 2013-06-18 . . . New York.
  28. News: Carter . Adam . 2015-01-06 . World Juniors: Hamilton's Darnell Nurse named player of gold medal game . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240603141554/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/headlines/world-juniors-hamilton-s-darnell-nurse-named-player-of-gold-medal-game-1.2890931 . 2024-06-03 . 2016-12-12 . CBC News.
  29. Web site: Gazzola . Paul . 2018-04-12 . Nurse named to Team Canada's roster at Worlds . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180616130118/https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/worlds-nurse-named-to-team-canadas-roster-at-worlds/c-297935236 . 2018-06-16 . 2018-04-13 . NHL.com . . . New York.
  30. Web site: 2019-04-29 . Hockey Canada names 22 players to 2019 IIHF World Championship roster . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240105201026/https://hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2019-mwc-roster-unveiled-for-worlds . 2024-01-05 . 2019-04-29 . hockeycanada.ca . . Calgary.
  31. Web site: Finland defeats Canada for Gold Medal at World Championship . . May 26, 2019 . May 26, 2019.
  32. Web site: Darnell and Kia Nurse bring Pan Am torch into Hamilton stadium . simcoe.com . August 28, 2018 . June 22, 2015 . The Nurse siblings are graduates of St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School..
  33. Web site: Nurse recognized as Scholastic Player of the Year . Soo Today . May 8, 2013 . May 8, 2013.
  34. Web site: Edmonton Oilers baby boom: Kane, Nugent-Hopkins and Nurse welcome kids over the summer . Global News . October 4, 2023.
  35. Web site: Wharnsby . Tim . 2011-12-23 . Athletic bloodlines run in the Nurse family . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20131026111216/http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/hockey/opinion/2011/12/athletic-bloodlines-run-in-the-nurse-family.html . 2013-10-26 . . Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
  36. Web site: 2015-04-07 . Back on Top! UConn Wins 2015 NCAA National Championship . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210427051352/https://uconnhuskies.com/news/2015/4/7/Back_on_Top_UConn_wins_2015_NCAA_National_Championship.aspx . 2021-04-27 . uconnhuskies.com . . Associated Press.
  37. Web site: Berkes . Peter . UConn vs. Syracuse 2016: Huskies win Women's NCAA Tournament championship, 82-51 . SBNation . April 5, 2016 . April 5, 2016.
  38. News: Graves . Wendy . 2015-08-13 . Nurse looks to add to family's success . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230818083223/https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/sarah-nurse-adds-to-familys-success . 2023-08-18 . 2024-05-31 . hockeycanada.ca . . . en-CA.
  39. Web site: USA Win Shootout To Claim Women's Ice Hockey Gold . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220205230011/https://olympics.com/en/news/usa-win-shootout-to-claim-women-s-ice-hockey-gold . 2022-02-05 . 2024-06-03 . olympics.com . International Olympic Committee.
  40. Web site: Sarah Nurse Stats and Player Profile . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240506153019/https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/player/75/3/sarah-nurse . 2024-05-06 . 2024-05-06 . thepwhl.com . . en-CA.
  41. News: Smith . Doug . 2015-05-16 . The Nurses: A sporting family tree . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210927112204/https://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/2015/05/16/the-nurses-a-sporting-family-tree.html . 2021-09-27 . 2021-09-02 . .
  42. Web site: Morreale . Mike G. . Nurse has great source for advice in uncle -- McNabb . National Hockey League . April 29, 2013.
  43. http://starsinsideedge.com/2013/06/03/2013-nhl-draft-profile-darnell-nurse/ 2013 NHL Draft Profile: Darnell Nurse | Dallas Stars Inside Edge
  44. http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/77623/nurse-subban-enjoy-canadas-ivan-hlinka-gold/ Nurse, Subban enjoy Canada's Ivan Hlinka gold - Hockey's Future
  45. Web site: Darnell Nurse – The Hockey News . June 18, 2013 . May 27, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130527032916/http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/51422-Darnell-Nurse.html . dead .
  46. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/world-juniors-hamilton-s-darnell-nurse-named-player-of-gold-medal-game-1.2890931 World Juniors: Hamilton's Darnell Nurse named player of gold medal game