NHL TOP PROSPECT PROFILE – NUGENT-HOPKINS

Calgary, AB – Leading up to the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in Minnesota on June 24 and 25, WHL.ca and WHL Web TV, will highlights five WHL players who are highly ranked by NHL Central Scouting leading up to draft day.  This week’s featured WHL player is NHL Central Scouting’s top ranked North American skater heading into the NHL Draft, Red Deer Rebels forward, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

CLICK HERE to watch Nugent-Hopkins’ WHL Web TV Top Prospect Profile

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Red Deer Rebels
Center 

Hometown:  Burnaby, B.C.
D.O.B: April 12, 1993
Ht:  6’ 0”
Wt:  165
WHL Bantam Draft:  2008, 1^st rd, 1^st overall
C.C.S Rank:  1^st among domestic skaters.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins just finished his second season in the WHL with the Red Deer Rebels.  The Burnaby, B.C., product led the team and finished tied for third in the WHL in scoring with 106 points, including a League-leading 75 assists, to help the Rebels capture their first Central Division title since the 2002-03 season.  He was named the WHL’s Rookie of the Year in 2009-10 after scoring 24 goals and 65 points for the Rebels as a 16-year-old.

The first overall pick from the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft, Nugent-Hopkins has more than made his case to become the first overall selection in the 2011 NHL Draft.  A supremely skilled and gifted offensive star, Nugent-Hopkins boasts a level of vision, hockey sense, playmaking ability and puck-handling skills unparalleled by anyone else in the 2011 NHL draft class.  Although not the biggest or strongest player on the ice, Nugent-Hopkins proves consistently to be one of the most elusive players thanks to his underrated skating abilities, agility and overall intelligence.  As good a playmaker and passer as he is, Nugent-Hopkins also boasts a sharp and accurate shot which he can get off in a hurry, making him equally a threat to score as he is to set up his linemates.  While his offensive skills draw the most accolades, Nugent-Hopkins also plays a strong, responsible defensive game.  His intelligence, vision, hockey sense and overall skill set enable him to be a very effective player in all zones.

“First and foremost, it’s the person that he is that really sets him apart…he has a genuine passion for the game that allows him to use his abilities to their fullest, and he’s a very mature, grounded young man,” said Red Deer Rebels’ head coach and VP of hockey operations Jesse Wallin.  “His talent level is special, and he’s gifted in so many ways.”

“His vision, his creativity, his intelligence and his understanding of the game, and the skill package that goes with it is what make him so special.  He’s got tremendous hands and passing ability, he’s got a great release, he’s a great skater, he’s got tremendous agility…it’s just a really special package and a personality and make-up that allows him to utilize that skill set.

“He’s been a great kid to coach, he’s got a ton of character, he’s a great person to be around, and he’s one of those people that, if you get to know him, you will want nothing but the best for him,” said Wallin.  “It’s not necessarily fair to compare him with an already-established player; he’s a guy who people will be comparing other players to in years to come.”

Nugent-Hopkins suited up for Canada’s Under-18 team at the 2010 Memorial for Ivan Hlinka tournament, leading the team to a Gold medal after scoring the game-winning goal in the championship game.  He also suited up for Team Pacific at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, and attended Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp in December 2010.

He played for Team WHL in the 2010 Subway Super Series, and also played for Team Orr at the 2011 Home Hardware CHL / NHL Top Prospects game where he was named the Player of the Game.

Did you know…Nugent-Hopkins was named the MVP of the prestigious Mac’s AAA Midget Hockey tournament in 2008 as a member of the Vancouver NW Giants, and was also named the BC Minor Hockey Player of the Year in 2008.  He lists Maurice ‘The Rocket’ Richard as one of his hockey heroes.

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Upcoming WHL.ca 2011 NHL Top Prospect Profiles
June 1 – Mark McNeill, Prince Albert Raiders
June 8 – Joseph Morrow, Portland Winterhawks
June 15 – Duncan Siemens, Saskatoon Blades
June 21 – Sven Bartschi, Portland Winterhawks
June 22 – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Red Deer Rebels
June 23 – WHL – NHL Draft, Special Feature
June 24 & 25 – 2011 NHL Draft