Darnell Nurse was looking to make the leap this season.
The Edmonton Oilers have decided the 19-year-old defenseman should spend another year in junior instead.
Nurse has been returned to OHL Sault Ste. Marie, where he’ll bolster a Greyhounds team that doesn’t actually need much bolstering. Sault Ste. Marie has won all eight of its games this season, outscoring its opposition 41-18.
The Greyhounds’ success stands in stark contrast to how the Oilers have started the season (0-3-1 and getting outscored 23-11). Nurse only got into two of those games, failing to register a point in either.
The move will allow the Oilers to delay the start of Nurse’s entry-level contract, while providing the player the opportunity to play in a winning environment and possibly represent Canada at the World Juniors tournament.
The Oilers have recalled defenseman Martin Marincin from AHL Oklahoma City.