Former Rebels star Nugent-Hopkins scores in 1000th NHL game, makes Edmonton Oilers history

Edmonton, Alta.- “(In) my mind, he might be the most beloved Oiler of all time.”

Zach Hyman didn’t mince words as he summed up a banner night for Edmonton alternate captain Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who skated in his 1,000th NHL game on Sunday night.

Over the past 15 seasons, Nugent-Hopkins has amassed 283 career goals and 505 assists for 788 points while adding 81 points (23G-58A) in 96 playoff games, which includes two trips to the Stanley Cup Final.

Indeed, the Nuge is huge- and so was his millennium celebration.

The Oilers arrived at Rogers Place wearing shirts peppered with pictures of the man of the hour, and during warmups the players all donned No. 93 sweaters in honour of their teammate and imitated his warmup routine.

Oil Country's heart & soul 💙🧡 #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/4V52VykyGA

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) January 19, 2026

A memorable pre-game ceremony saw Nugent-Hopkins joined by his father, Roger, mother, Deb, brother, Adam, wife Breanne, and their daughter, Lennon, for a tribute looking back on his time with the organization since being picked first overall in the 2011 NHL Draft.

In addition to the custom silver stick that denotes 1,000 NHL games, the 32-year-old also received a custom Rolex watch and crystal on behalf of the NHL.

“What the guys put together and the way they made this night special for myself and my family and friends was incredible, and something that I’ll never forget,” Nugent Hopkins told reporters postgame.  “And then, obviously, the fans out there, they’re always electric, but the chants and stuff… That doesn’t go unnoticed. So just a lot of appreciation tonight.”

The raucous crowd of more than 18,000 fans was already chanting by the time the puck dropped, and nearly blew the roof off the rink when Nugent Hopkins fired a powerplay wrister into the back of the net just over five minutes into the game.

Mr. 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/AGDvV4YEO4

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) January 19, 2026

His 12th goal of the campaign marked the game-winner in a dominant 5-0 win over the St. Louis Blues and launched Nugent-Hopkins into even rarer territory.

He’s the 10th player in NHL history to score in his NHL debut and his 1,000th game.

But his impact on the team goes beyond the numbers.

“Leon (Draisaitl) had joked earlier about him being the coach’s favourite, but he, you know, it’s hard not to like Ryan,” Head Coach and fellow WHL alum Kris Knoblauch said. “Just with everything that he does, whether it’s on the power play, the penalty kill, five on five play, left wing, center. He touches so many areas of the game, and then on top of that, he’s just an outstanding leader. You look at the young players, hopefully they follow in his footsteps and just see all the things that Ryan does and how professional he is.”

Nugent-Hopkins is the first skater to play 1,000 consecutive games with the Oilers.

QMJHL alum and Hockey Hall-of-Famer Kevin Lowe had played 996 games in Edmonton before joining the New York Rangers for four years. He returned to Alberta’s capital for the final two seasons of his playing career to hit the 1,000-game mark and set the franchise record for games played at 1,037 contests.

With 32 games left in the 2025-26 regular-season schedule, Nugent-Hopkins could break the record next fall.

The long road started just down the highway in Red Deer, Alta., where Nugent Hopkins plied his trade for three seasons with the Rebels.

Red Deer selected the Burnaby, B.C. product with the first overall pick in the 2008 WHL Prospects Draft and got first glimpses of something special with the youngster averaging above a point-per-game the following season with two goals and four assists in five call-up appearances.

His rookie season saw the 6-foot, 173-pound forward bag 65 points (24G-41A) in 67 games and snag the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the 2010 WHL Rookie of the Year.

Nugent-Hopkins took off like a shot in his draft year by breaking the century mark with 106 points (31G-75A) to lead all WHL players in assists and tie for third in the league points race.

The Eastern Conference First Team All-Star was dubbed the CHL’s top NHL Draft prospect and heard his name called first by the Oilers in St. Paul, Minn. that June.

He made the jump to the NHL that fall and was ultimately named a Calder Trophy finalist as one of the NHL’s top rookies off the steam of a 52-point (18G-34A) run in 2011-12.

While there’s much to look back on and celebrate, Nugent-Hopkins is still looking ahead as the Oilers battle for a third consecutive appearance in the league final, and, ultimately, a Stanley Cup.

“I’m just very grateful, and it’s been an honour, but at the same time, still some goals to accomplish and- hopefully- a long way to go,” he added.

Edmonton (25-17-8) sits second in the Pacific Division and will hunt for a third-straight win with the New Jersey Devils set to visit on Tuesday, January 20, at 8:00 p.m. MST.