As expected, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins didn’t have to wait too long to hear his name called on draft day.
In fact, he didn’t have to wait at all. As expected, the Edmonton Oilers made Nugent-Hopkins the first pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
But he may have to wait a little longer then previous first overall picks to play in the NHL.
“From what I’ve heard, Steve’s in no rush to get me playing,” Nugent-Hopkins said moments after joining the likes of Steven Stamkos, John Tavares and Taylor Hall as first overall selections. “But if I do go back to Junior, I won’t be disappointed at all. It will be a great opportunity for us, Red Deer, as a team to hopefully to get to the Memorial Cup. Personally it will be a good year of development for me too, but my goal now is to make the Oilers right now.”
When he does make his NHL debut, Nugent-Hopkins is set to join an exciting young team that boasts the likes of Hall, Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi and Linus Omark. Oiler fans and management alike are already salivating at the thought of Nugent-Hopkins between Eberle and Hall – with just cause.
“Yeah, definitely it’s going to be great,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “I’m definitely going to be able to relate to all the young guys in the system already. So just joining a group like that is very exciting for me. I just can’t wait to get started.”
Aaron Vickers is the managing editor of Future Considerations and can be found on Twitter. For all the latest Future Considerations news and posts, follow FC’s Official Twitter Feed, on YouTube and on Facebook!