Oilers sign Nurse to three-year entry-level contract

Darnell Nurse, left, stands for photos after the Edmonton Oilers chose him seventh overall in the first round of the NHL hockey draft on Sunday, June 30, 2013, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

The Edmonton Oilers announced Thursday that the team has agreed to terms with defenceman Darnell Nurse on a three-year entry level contract.

Nurse, 18, was the seventh overall selection in this year's NHL Draft, after recording 41 points and 116 penalty minutes in 68 games with the Ontario Hockey League's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

In six playoff games with the Greyhounds, he tallied four points and six penalty minutes as the Greyhounds fell in six games to the Owen Sound Attack.

The 6'5, 192-pound blueliner was named the OHL's Scholastic Player of the Year for 2012-13, after carrying an 85 per cent average in six Grade 12 University Prep courses.

Nurse played for Team Canada at the 2013 Under-18 World Junior Hockey Championship and participated in the 2013 Canadian Hockey League Top Prospects Game. Other international experiences include a bronze medal with Team Ontario at the 2012 Under-17 Hockey Challenge (named to the tournament All-Star Team) and a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.

The Hamilton, Ontario native is the son of former Canadian Football League receiver Richard Nurse and nephew of former National Football League quarterback Donovan McNabb.