Hello Nurse: McNabb’s nephew to make NHL debut for Oilers

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) – The Oilers announced on Tuesday that defenseman Darnell Nurse will make his NHL debut when Edmonton takes on the defending-champion Kings at Staples Center.

Nurse, who was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract in July of 2013, was taken with the seventh-overall pick in that year’s draft. Though a native of Hamilton, Ontario, Nurse is the nephew of former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, who is married to Nurse’s aunt.

“I’ll have my uncle here, which is nice. The greatest thing for me is to go out there and live one of my dreams. I’m just looking forward to making the most of this opportunity,” Nurse admitted. “I’ll go out there, work as hard as I can and help the team get two points. When you ease yourself into things, that’s when you get hurt.”

The 19-year-old totaled 13 goals and 50 points in 64 games for Sault Ste. Marie of the Ontario Hockey League last season.

Also set to play his first NHL contest is forward Bogdan Yakimov. The 20-year- old Russian was plucked in the third round of the 2013 draft. He collected seven goals and 12 points in 33 games for Neftekhimik of the Kontinental Hockey League.

The moves were made by head coach Dallas Eakins due to the absences of forwards Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and defenseman Jeff Petry due to undisclosed injuries.

Categorized in: NHL