Ryan Nugent - Hopkins Ryan Jeremy Noel Nugent - Hopkins ( born April 12 , 1993 ) is a Canadian ice hockey centre who plays for the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL . He was selected first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft . Hockey career . Minor . Nugent - Hopkins played most of his minor hockey for the Burnaby Winter Club in his hometown , while attending Burnaby North Secondary . In 2005 , he led his team to a quarter - final berth in the annual Quebec Pee - Wee Tournament , and later in the season captured a provincial championship . He was the captain of the Burnaby Winter Club Bruins when he was drafted first overall in the 2008 Western Hockey League ( WHL ) Bantam Draft by the Red Deer Rebels . In 2007 and 2008 , he played in the Western Canada Bantam Championships . The Burnaby Winter Club Bruins captured the gold medal in 2007 and the silver medal in 2008 . Nugent - Hopkins was named the tournament MVP in 2008 . After being drafted , Nugent - Hopkins played midget hockey for the Vancouver NW Giants during the 2008 – 09 season . During the 2008 Mac ' s AAA midget hockey tournament , Nugent - Hopkins was named the Tournament MVP and earned a spot on the All - Star Team . Nugent - Hopkins was named the 2008 BC Minor Hockey Player of the Year , in recognition of his sportsmanship , leadership and hockey skill . Junior . Nugent - Hopkins made his WHL debut with the Rebels as an underage player during the 2008 – 09 WHL season . He played in five games , scoring two goals and adding four assists . During the 2009 – 10 WHL season , Nugent - Hopkins played in 67 games , scoring 24 goals and adding 41 assists . He was awarded the WHL rookie of the year award . He was a finalist for the CHL rookie of the year but lost to Matt Puempel of the Peterborough Petes . In their pre - season rankings for the 2011 National Hockey League ( NHL ) Entry Draft , the International Scouting Service ranked Nugent - Hopkins sixth overall , the second highest WHL player after Vancouver Giants defenceman David Musil . E . J . McGuire , the director of the NHL Central Scouting Bureau said of Nugent - Hopkins : " He ' s got great skill and a knack for offense , " while Cam Moon , the Rebels play - by - play announcer called him the best player the team had ever seen . Professional . On June 24 , 2011 , Nugent - Hopkins was selected first overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers . On July 2 , 2011 , he agreed to terms with the Oilers on a three - year NHL entry level contract . International . 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 . Personal life . Nugent - Hopkins ' parents are Roger Hopkins and Deb Nugent . He has one older brother , Adam . He was born in Burnaby , British Columbia and attended Suncrest Elementary School , and attended Burnaby North Secondary School where he participated in the school ' s hockey academy