Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Set to Join Oilers' 1,000-Game Club: A Look Back at His Defining Moments
When Ryan Nugent-Hopkins steps onto the ice this Sunday against the St. Louis Blues, it won’t just be another regular season game at Rogers Place - it’ll be a milestone moment, 15 seasons in the making.
The Edmonton Oilers will honor their alternate captain for playing in his 1,000th NHL regular season game, making him just the second player in franchise history to hit that mark in an Oilers sweater, joining longtime blueliner Kevin Lowe. It’s a testament to Nugent-Hopkins’ longevity, loyalty, and quiet consistency - a player who’s been through the lean years, the rebuilds, and now, back-to-back Stanley Cup Final runs.
Drafted first overall in 2011, Nugent-Hopkins has been a fixture in Edmonton’s lineup ever since. He’s seen the franchise evolve from a team stuck in the mud to a legitimate championship contender.
Along the way, he's had his share of standout performances - moments that helped define not only his career, but also key chapters in Oilers history. Let’s take a look back at five of his most memorable games.
1. A Debut to Remember - October 9, 2011 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
The hype was real. Less than four months after being selected No. 1 overall, Nugent-Hopkins made his NHL debut in front of a packed house at Rexall Place. And he didn’t take long to make an impression.
With the Oilers trailing late in the third period, the 18-year-old found himself in the right place at the right time, backhanding a loose puck past Penguins goalie Brent Johnson to tie the game. The crowd erupted, and Nugent-Hopkins was instantly mobbed by teammates - a welcome-to-the-league moment that felt like something out of a movie.
He finished the night with a goal, three shots, two penalty minutes, and a spot among the game’s three stars. Edmonton would go on to win in a shootout, but the real story was the kid with the smooth hands and sky-high expectations - and how he delivered right away.
2. Hat Trick Hero - October 15, 2011 vs. Vancouver Canucks
If his debut was impressive, Nugent-Hopkins’ second home game was downright historic.
Facing the defending Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks, the rookie did everything he could to will the Oilers to a win, scoring all three of Edmonton’s goals in a 4-3 loss. At just 18 years and 186 days old, he became the fourth-youngest player in NHL history to record a hat trick.
His third goal - a wrister through traffic that beat Roberto Luongo - initially left fans and players alike guessing who got the final touch. But once Nugent-Hopkins’ name was announced, the hats rained down from the stands. It was a moment that confirmed what many already suspected: this kid was going to be special.
Since then, he’s added three more hat tricks to his résumé, the latest coming against Seattle in March 2025.
3. Five-Assist Showcase - November 19, 2011 vs. Chicago Blackhawks
The Oilers started Nugent-Hopkins’ rookie season hot, but hit a wall in November. Four straight losses had fans bracing for another long winter - and then came a statement game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Edmonton exploded for nine goals, their highest total in a game since 1996, and Nugent-Hopkins was the catalyst. He dished out five assists - still a career high - in a dazzling performance that put his elite vision and hockey IQ on full display.
He became just the 12th player in NHL history to record five assists in a game during their rookie season. It was a reminder that even in the early stages of his career, Nugent-Hopkins had the ability to take over a game without ever needing to score himself.
4. Big Night in Vegas - March 28, 2023 vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Fast forward nearly 12 years, and Nugent-Hopkins was still finding ways to dominate - this time on the road, against the defending champs.
In a 7-4 win over the Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights, Nugent-Hopkins matched his career high with five points: one goal and four assists. All five came in the first two periods, including a slick setup on Darnell Nurse’s game-winner.
It was his second career five-point game, making him just the 10th player in Oilers history to hit that mark more than once. The performance also extended his personal-best point streak to nine games - a stretch of offensive consistency that mirrored the Oilers’ surge toward playoff form.
5. The Century Mark - April 5, 2023 vs. Anaheim Ducks
The 2022-23 season was a career year for Nugent-Hopkins, and the cherry on top came in Anaheim.
With Edmonton clinging to a 2-1 lead late in the third period, Nugent-Hopkins fed Zach Hyman for an empty-netter - his 100th point of the season. He finished the year with 37 goals and 67 assists, becoming the sixth player in NHL history to notch his first 100-point season in his 12th year or later.
That campaign also saw the Oilers become the first team since the ’95-96 Penguins to have three 100-point scorers (Nugent-Hopkins, Connor McDavid, and Leon Draisaitl), a testament to the firepower Edmonton now brings on a nightly basis - and to Nugent-Hopkins’ evolution into one of the league’s most reliable two-way forwards.
Looking Ahead
Sunday’s milestone is more than just a number. It’s a celebration of a player who’s grown up with the franchise, weathered the storms, and helped lead the Oilers into a new era of relevance.
With 10 goals and 19 assists in 37 career games against the Blues, Nugent-Hopkins has a history of showing up against St. Louis. And while he still trails Kevin Lowe’s franchise record of 1,037 games, he’s on pace to pass that mark early next season.
For now, though, the spotlight rightfully belongs to No. 93 - a player who’s earned every bit of it.