Nugent-Hopkins started his experience with Hockey Canada by representing Team Pacific at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. He finished the tournament with one goal and four assists in five games. Team Pacific finished the tournament in fifth place. He had the chance to represent Canada at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament held in Slovakia during the summer. He served as an alternate captain on the team, and scored the game-winning goal in the gold medal game against the United States. Nugent-Hopkins finished the tournament as Canada's leading scorer with five goals and two assists in five games. He was also selected to play for the WHL team in the 2010 Subway Super Series. During the 2010–11 season, Nugent-Hopkins was invited to try out at Canada's 2011 National Junior Team selection camp, but was amongst the final players cut. Nugent-Hopkins also competed for Canada at the 2012 WHC, where Canada finished in a disappointing fifth place. Due to the 2012–13 NHL lock-out, Nugent-Hopkins was able to join the Canadian junior team to compete in the 2013 World Juniors and was subsequently named team captain. He led the tournament in scoring with 15 points in six games, but the team was ultimately unable to medal. Nugent-Hopkins had a goal and three assists in a 6–5 overtime loss against Russia in the bronze medal game. The loss ended Canada's 14-year medal streak in the annual world junior tournament.