Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports
By Harry Hawkings, Special to For The Win
NEWARK — After a long run of drafting forwards in the last half-decade of NHL drafts, the Edmonton Oilers changed course on Sunday afternoon, picking defenseman Darnell Nurse from Sault Ste. Marie of the Ontario Hockey League with the seventh pick in the 2013 draft.
Nurse is the nephew of former Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb. McNabb has been vocal in his support of his nephew leading up to the draft, praising his character, athletic ability, and skill.
This is a pretty good pick by the Oilers, who now have a great young defenseman to add to the core of impressive young forwards they have assembled.
More information from Red Line Report publisher and chief scout Kyle Woodlief:
Has huge upside. Big and strong with great upper body strength despite still being a beanpole. Wait until he adds a few pounds to that hulking 6-5 frame. He’s just miserable to play against now: throws opponents around with authority and plays a mean, nasty game. Throw big hits both along the boards and in open ice.
Family is everything. Big Day NHL DRAFT. pic.twitter.com/yf2BMK7uKe
— Donovan McNabb (@donovanjmcnabb) June 30, 2013
Memorable Day, God is Good pic.twitter.com/8AWPOI5gcI
— Donovan McNabb (@donovanjmcnabb) June 30, 2013
