Edmonton Oilers top 2011 draft pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins awarded Rookie of the Month -NHL News Update
At the age of 18, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the Edmonton Oilers top entry draft pick in this year’s draft, has certainly impressed the team management to the point of allowing them to keep him on the team this season and now, has been selected as the rookie of
the month for October 2011, by the National Hockey League (NHL).
"He has impressed our coaches enough to trust him defensively", Oilers general manager, Steve Tambellini, said. "That's what has stood out for our coach Tom Renney. He couldn't believe where he is in terms of having a mindset of being a defensive player
first. He's always on the right side of the puck. Normally, a skilled player at his age is on the offensive side”.
Nugent-Hopkins was selected as the first overall pick by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, which took place earlier this year and has so far made a name for himself in the North American major league as one of the best performers.
Ending the 2010-2011 regular season as one of the lowest ranking teams in the entire league and unable to make the playoffs, Nugent-Hopkins, with the help of his determined teammates have certainly managed to turn the team around this time.
Currently, Edmonton stands tied for the number-one spot of the Western Conference with Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars with 16 points each.
Amazingly, Nugent-Hopkins has been able to carry over his style of play from the minor leagues into the NHL, which is very rare in case of newcomers. This aspect is something GM Tambellini admires.
"What I like is that he hasn't changed the way he plays", Tambellini added. "He has been able to adapt to the pro game and still do what he does best".
The Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada native, currently boasts a record 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists) in 11 matchups since the 2011-2012 season began, with a plus-minus rating of four and six minutes in penalty time.
Nugent-Hopkins is well on his way to being named the NHL rookie of the year after the season ends next year, which will not be surprising to see knowing how good he really is.
Tags: