Global Edmonton @ The Draft

Global Sports’ Dean Millard is in Minneapolis covering the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, which gets underway Friday, June 24. For the second year in a row the Edmonton Oilers hold the first overall selection in this year’s draft. Leading up to draft day Global Edmonton will be providing updates from Minneapolis, including observations from Oilers management and from young draft hopefuls.

Thursday, June 23:

Wednesday night Global cameraman Charles Taylor and I received exclusive access to probable first overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and his family. From the clan hanging out in their hotel room to a dinner out at a local steakhouse. It’s refreshing to me that two parents who separated when RNH was very young have put their differences aside and are both here celebrating their sons’ success. Along with older brother Adam, the Nugent-Hopkins family was very entertaining. The best story from the night was how in grade four Ryan was asked to write an essay about what he wanted to do when he grew up. Naturally he picked being an NHL player. His teacher told him it was unrealistic and he should pick something else. So he rewrote it and chose to be an architect. If he goes first overall on Friday I think he should offer to build a house for that teacher made of hockey sticks. Watch for our exclusive story with Ryan and his family tonight on the News Hour.

-Dean Millard, Global Sports