Music: {allcanada} OILERS SAY NUGENT-HOPKINS WILL START SEASON IN EDMONTON

Monday, October 3, 2011

{allcanada} OILERS SAY NUGENT-HOPKINS WILL START SEASON IN EDMONTON

For the second time in as many seasons, the Edmonton Oilers will have their first-overall pick in the lineup for opening night.

Head coach Tom Renney confirmed after practice on Monday that centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will begin the 2011-12 campaign with the NHL club.

"Ryan will start the season with us," he told reporters.

The first pick in the June draft centred a line at practice on Monday with 2010 first-overall pick Taylor Hall and veteran winger Ales Hemsky.

Nugent-Hopkins, who signed an entry-level contract with the Oilers over the summer, scored a goal and five assists in five pre-season games. The Oilers can still opt to send him back to Red Deer of the Western Hockey League after he plays nine games so that he doesn't use up a year of his contract.

The Oilers begin the regular season on Sunday night at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins.