Darnell Nurse facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Darnell Nurse
Nurse with the Edmonton Oilers in 2022
Born	(1995-02-04) February 4, 1995 (age 30) Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Left
NHL team	Edmonton Oilers
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	7th overall, 2013 Edmonton Oilers
Playing career	2014–present

Darnell Nurse was born on February 4, 1995. He is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Darnell plays as a defenceman for the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League (NHL). He is also an alternate captain for the team. The Oilers picked Nurse seventh overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. This means he was one of the top players chosen that year.

Early Life and Sports

Darnell Nurse grew up in Hamilton, Ontario. His parents were both great athletes. His dad, Richard Nurse, played football for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. His mom, Cathy, played college basketball.

As a kid, Darnell tried many sports. He played football, basketball, lacrosse, and ice hockey. But by high school, he decided to focus only on hockey. His dad worried about injuries from football. Darnell also felt he wasn't very good at basketball.

By age 15, Darnell was already very tall and strong. He was 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) tall and weighed 176 pounds (80 kg). He quickly became known as a powerful defenceman for his minor hockey team, the Don Mills Flyers.

Playing Hockey

Nurse playing for the Oklahoma City Barons in 2014

Starting in Junior Hockey

The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds picked Darnell third overall in the 2011 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft. The OHL is a major junior league for young, talented players. After two seasons with the Greyhounds, the Edmonton Oilers chose him in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He was the seventh player picked overall.

On July 25, the Oilers signed Darnell to his first professional contract. However, he went back to play one more season with the Greyhounds. He was even named their team captain. That season, he scored a career-high 50 points in 64 games. After his junior season ended, Darnell joined the Oilers' minor league team, the Oklahoma City Barons. This team plays in the American Hockey League (AHL). He played a few games with them.

Joining the Edmonton Oilers

Darnell made the Oilers' main roster at the start of the 2014–15 season. He played his first NHL game on October 14. After two games, the Oilers sent him back to the Greyhounds to get more experience.

Nurse with the Oilers in 2015

He started the 2015–16 season with the Oilers' new AHL team, the Bakersfield Condors. After playing six games there, the Oilers called him back up to the NHL. On October 27, Darnell scored his very first NHL goal! It was an exciting moment for him. Later that season, he was suspended for three games after an incident during a game. He played in 69 games for the Oilers that year.

In December 2016, Darnell had ankle surgery. He missed about 12 weeks of playing time. He returned to the ice in February 2017.

On September 17, 2018, the Oilers signed Darnell to a new two-year contract. On October 1, 2019, he was named an alternate captain for the Oilers. This shows he is a leader on the team. In February 2020, he signed another two-year contract. Then, on August 6, 2021, Darnell signed a big eight-year contract extension with the Oilers. This means he will be with the team for a long time!

Playing for Team Canada

Darnell Nurse has proudly represented Canada in many international hockey tournaments.

Winning Medals

• In 2012, he won a bronze medal with Team Ontario at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He was also named to the Tournament All-Star Team.
• That same year, he won another bronze medal with Team Canada at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships.
• In 2012, he won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.
• He won gold with Canada at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship. He was even named one of Canada's top three players in the tournament.
• In 2018, Darnell played for Team Canada at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.
• In 2019, he helped Canada win a silver medal at the 2019 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia. He scored 2 goals and 4 points in 10 games during that tournament.

Darnell's Family and Awards

Darnell went to St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School and St. Mary's College. He won the Bobby Smith Trophy in 2013. This award is for the OHL's best student-athlete.

Darnell and his wife Mikayla have two sons.

A Family of Athletes

Darnell comes from a very athletic family!

• His dad, Richard Nurse, played professional football.
• His sister, Kia Nurse, is a professional basketball player. She plays for the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA. She also plays for the Canadian national team.
• His cousin, Sarah Nurse, is a professional women's hockey player. She won a gold medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics and a silver medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics with the Canadian national team.
• His uncle, Donovan McNabb, was a famous NFL quarterback. He played in six Pro Bowls!

Awards and Achievements