Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (born April 12, 1993) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and alternate captain for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed "Nuge" by Oilers fans, Nugent-Hopkins was selected first overall by the Oilers in the 2011 NHL entry draft.

Growing up in British Columbia, Nugent-Hopkins played minor hockey with the Burnaby Winter Club and Vancouver North West Giants before joining the Red Deer Rebels in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Over his two seasons in the WHL, Nugent-Hopkins received numerous accolades and honours including the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy, CHL Top Draft Prospect Award, and WHL East First All-Star Team selection. His efforts in the WHL began earning him attention from scouts; eventually, they unanimously projected him as the first overall pick in his draft class.

Nugent-Hopkins has been a key part of the Oilers' core players since making his NHL debut at 18 in the 2011–12 season. He recorded 52 points in his rookie season to earn a nomination for the Calder Memorial Trophy and a place on the NHL All-Rookie Team. After six 50+ point seasons, he reached the 100-point plateau for the first time during the 2022–23 season. As one of the longest tenured players in Oilers history, Nugent-Hopkins has helped push the Oilers to seven Stanley Cup playoffs. He recorded a career-high 22 points in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs en route to the Oilers' first Stanley Cup Finals appearance since 2006.

Internationally, Nugent-Hopkins has represented Canada at both the junior and senior levels. He won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. While he made his senior team debut at the 2012 IIHF World Championship, Nugent-Hopkins continued to participate in junior tournaments until 2013. He represented Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and Team Canada at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.