Darnell Nurse

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.

Darnell Nurse
Nurse with the Edmonton Oilers in 2022
Born (1995-02-04) February 4, 1995
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 221 lb (100 kg; 15 st 11 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
NHL team Edmonton Oilers
National team  Canada
NHL Draft 7th overall, 2013
Edmonton Oilers
Playing career 2014–present

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 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and weighing 176 pounds (80 kg) 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
Nurse with the Oklahoma City Barons in 2014

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 with the Oilers in 2015

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
Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Canada
World Championships
Silver medal – second place2019 Slovakia
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place2015 Canada
IIHF World U18 Championship
Bronze medal – third place2012 Brno

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.[24]

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]

He is the son of former Canadian Football League wide receiver Richard Nurse.[34] His sister, Kia, currently plays for the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She won two NCAA championships with the Connecticut Huskies,[35][36] and is a member of the Canadian national team. His cousin, Sarah Nurse, won a gold medal at the 2022 winter Olympics and a silver medal with the Canadian national ice hockey team at the 2018 Winter Olympics.[37] His uncle, Donovan McNabb, was an NFL quarterback who played in six Pro Bowls and had his number retired by the Philadelphia Eagles.[38][39]

Nurse and his wife Mikayla have two sons.[40]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11 St. Michael's Buzzers OJHL 20004 —————
2011–12 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 53191061 —————
2012–13 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 68122941116 61346
2013–14 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 6413375091 935812
2013–14 Oklahoma City Barons AHL 40110 30117
2014–15 Edmonton Oilers NHL 20000 —————
2014–15 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 3610233358 1435826
2015–16 Bakersfield Condors AHL 90227 —————
2015–16 Edmonton Oilers NHL 69371060 —————
2016–17 Edmonton Oilers NHL 44561133 130226
2017–18 Edmonton Oilers NHL 826202667 —————
2018–19 Edmonton Oilers NHL 8210314187 —————
2019–20 Edmonton Oilers NHL 715283348 40226
2020–21 Edmonton Oilers NHL 5616203657 40112
2021–22 Edmonton Oilers NHL 719263554 1524626
2022–23 Edmonton Oilers NHL 8212314364 1104421
NHL totals 55966169235470 472131561

International
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2012 Canada Ontario U17 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 5 1 2 3 8
2012 Canada U18 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 7 0 0 0 14
2012 Canada IH18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 0 0 0 4
2015 Canada WJC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 0 1 1 6
2018 Canada WC 4th 10 0 1 1 4
2019 Canada WC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 10 2 2 4 8
Junior totals 24 1 3 4 32
Senior totals 20 2 3 5 12

Awards and honours
Awards Year
World U-17 Hockey Challenge All-Star Team 2012 [24]
IIHF World U18 Championships Bronze Medal 2012 [41]
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament Gold Medal 2012 [42]
CHL Top Prospects Game 2013 [43]
IIHF World U20 Championships Gold Medal 2015 [44]

References
  1. "Darnell Nurse Stats and News". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  2. Wharnsby, Tim (December 23, 2011). "Athletic bloodlines run in the Nurse family". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  3. Campbell, Tim (February 28, 2020). "Nurse leans on prominent athletes in family to find success with Oilers". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  4. Kennedy, Ryan (November 18, 2010). "Darnell Nurse". The Hockey News. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  5. "OHL Draft Class of 2011: Top 10 Picks". Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
  6. McCurdy, Bruce. "Edmonton Oilers draft Darnell Nurse 7th overall". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  7. "Oilers ink Nurse to entry-level contract". Edmonton Oilers. July 25, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  8. "Greyhounds announce Leadership Group including Captain Darnell Nurse". Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
  9. Tychkowski, Robert. "Edmonton Oilers 'need the points' against Vancouver Canucks". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  10. Tychkowski, Robert. "Oilers unable to match Kings goal output, dig themselves early hole". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  11. Oilers, Edmonton. "#Oilers recall d-man Martin Marincin from @OKCBarons , assign fwd Steve Pinizzotto to OKC and d-man Darnell Nurse to Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)". Twitter. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  12. Oilers, Edmonton. "#Oilers assign Darnell Nurse, Mitch Moroz, Martin Gernat & Iiro Pakarinen to @Condors . Roster now sits at 28 players (3G, 10D, 15F)". Twitter. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  13. Oilers, Edmonton. "The #Oilers have recalled d-man Darnell Nurse from the @Condors and placed d-man Griffin Reinhart on IR". Twitter. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  14. Campbell, Dave. "Wild score 43 seconds apart in 3rd period to beat Oilers 4-3". Global News. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  15. NHL Department of Player Safety. "Edmonton's Darnell Nurse suspended 3 games under Rule 46.2 Aggressor of an altercation with San Jose's Roman Polak". Twitter. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  16. "Darnell Nurse suspended 3 Games". National Hockey League. March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  17. "Darnell Nurse of Oilers to miss up to 12 weeks". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  18. "Filip Forsberg, James Neal lead Predators over Oilers". Sportsnet. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  19. Romero, Diego (September 17, 2018). "Darnell Nurse signs $3.2M AAV deal with Oilers". CTV News Edmonton. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  20. "Oilers name Darnell Nurse, Leon Draisaitl alternate captains". Sportsnet. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  21. "Nurse signs two-year contract with Oilers". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  22. Matheson, Jim. "Two-year deal for Nurse just what Oilers' doctor ordered". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  23. "Nurse signs eight-year contract extension with Oilers". NHL.com. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  24. "OHL: Darnell Nurse, a Greyhound with impeccable pedigree". Toronto Star. January 2, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  25. "Nurse gets Ivan Hlinka nod". Sault Star. August 7, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  26. "Darnell Nurse and U18 Team Wins Gold in Slovakia". Sault Star. May 6, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  27. "Nurse climbing to the top in Hockey after selecting a different path". The New York Times. June 18, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  28. Carter, Adam (January 6, 2015). "World Juniors: Hamilton's Darnell Nurse named player of gold medal game". CBC News. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  29. Gazzola, Paul (April 12, 2018). "BLOG: Nurse named to Team Canada's roster at Worlds". NHL.com. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  30. "Hockey Canada names 22 players to 2019 IIHF World Championship roster". Hockey Canada. April 29, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  31. "Finland defeats Canada for Gold Medal at World Championship". The Sports Network. May 26, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  32. "Darnell and Kia Nurse bring Pan Am torch into Hamilton stadium". simcoe.com. June 22, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2018. The Nurse siblings are graduates of St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School.
  33. "Nurse recognized as Scholastic Player of the Year". Soo Today. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  34. Wharnsby, Tim. "Athletic bloodlines run in the Nurse family". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  35. "BACK ON TOP! UCONN WINS 2015 NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP". UConn Huskies. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  36. Berkes, Peter (April 5, 2016). "UConn vs. Syracuse 2016: Huskies win Women's NCAA Tournament championship, 82-51". SBNation. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  37. "USA WIN SHOOTOUT TO CLAIM WOMEN'S ICE HOCKEY GOLD". Olympic. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  38. "The Nurses: A sporting family tree". Toronto Star. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  39. Morreale, Mike G. "Nurse has great source for advice in uncle -- McNabb". National Hockey League. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  40. "Edmonton Oilers baby boom: Kane, Nugent-Hopkins and Nurse welcome kids over the summer". Global News. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  41. 2013 NHL Draft Profile: Darnell Nurse | Dallas Stars Inside Edge Archived July 4, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  42. Nurse, Subban enjoy Canada's Ivan Hlinka gold - Hockey's Future
  43. "Darnell Nurse – The Hockey News". Archived from the original on May 27, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  44. World Juniors: Hamilton's Darnell Nurse named player of gold medal game
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