From the OHL to the Oilers’ blue line — and beyond.
As the Edmonton Oilers chase their first Stanley Cup since 1990, their blue line features a pair of standout defensemen shaped by junior hockey. Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse, both developed in the Ontario Hockey League, are anchoring the team’s defensive core while carrying forward the discipline, leadership, and competitive edge forged in the CHL.
Behind the bench is Paul Coffey, a Hall of Famer and former Kitchener Rangers star, now serving as an assistant coach. Though Coffey’s playing days predate the era featured in our upcoming book, his influence on this current group — especially during this high-pressure postseason run — is undeniable.
Bouchard’s Calm, Coffey’s Confidence
Drafted 10th overall by the Oilers in 2018, Evan Bouchard became a key figure for the London Knights under legendary coach Dale Hunter. He wore the captain’s “C,” ran the power play, and routinely logged big minutes — all while demonstrating elite hockey IQ and composure.
“He was always a step ahead,” Hunter once said. “Smart, patient, and absolutely lethal with the puck.”
Bouchard’s breakout season came in 2017–18 when he posted 87 points in 67 games — one of the most prolific scoring seasons by a defenseman in modern OHL history. But it was the following year, 2018–19, when he was officially recognized with the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenseman. After starting the season in Edmonton and returning to London midyear, Bouchard finished with 53 points in just 45 games and was lauded for his leadership, maturity, and impact at both ends of the ice.
Now, in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, Bouchard leads all defensemen in playoff scoring and regularly tops 25 minutes of ice time per night. His puck-moving precision and power-play quarterbacking are vital to Edmonton’s success — and he’s doing it under the mentorship of someone who knows what it takes to win.
“Paul [Coffey] doesn’t overwhelm you,” Bouchard told reporters. “One sentence from him can reframe a whole shift. He’s been there, and that presence helps you believe you belong.”
Nurse’s Edge from the Soo
Darnell Nurse, selected 7th overall by Edmonton in 2013, played his junior hockey with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds under head coach Sheldon Keefe. The Soo instilled a defensive responsibility and physical intensity that still defines Nurse’s game.
“He was a warrior from day one,” Keefe said in a 2015 interview. “He led by example, took care of his teammates, and never took a shift off.”
In 2013–14, Nurse posted 50 points in 64 games and was considered a top candidate for the Max Kaminsky Trophy, which ultimately went to Aaron Ekblad of the Barrie Colts. While he didn’t win the award, Nurse’s leadership, skating, and defensive acumen were enough to make him a top-10 NHL draft pick.
Former Oilers head scout Stu MacGregor, based in Ontario, helped steer the decision. “He brought character and compete,” MacGregor said. “We saw that every night in the OHL.”
Through the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final, Nurse has drawn attention for some defensive struggles, particularly in transition coverage. But the Oilers remain confident in his ability to bounce back with physicality, shot blocking, and experience — especially with home-ice matchups ahead.
A Familiar Blueprint
Though Coffey isn’t featured in Junior Hockey Giants: Road to the NHL — his playing days came before the author’s time with the league — his presence behind the bench draws clear parallels to Edmonton’s last dynasty. In the 1980s, Coffey thrived playing behind legends like Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Jari Kurri. Now, he’s helping guide two homegrown defensemen who patrol the ice behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
“It’s wild, right?” Bouchard said with a grin during a media scrum. “He played with some of the greatest ever. Now he’s showing us how to play with ours.”
It’s a formula that feels familiar: generational talent up front, dynamic defenders behind them, and the composure to withstand the playoff grind.
Junior Hockey Giants on Hockey’s Biggest Stage
Edmonton’s defensive duo is more than just a solid pairing — they are living proof of what junior hockey builds: toughness, leadership, and readiness for the biggest stage.
The journeys of Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse — from London and Sault Ste. Marie to the Stanley Cup Final — are just two of the inspiring stories connected to our upcoming book:
Hockey Docs Presents: Junior Hockey Giants – Road to the NHL
This book is a tribute to the players, coaches, and billet families who shaped the game’s rising stars — featuring exclusive photos, player profiles, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the OHL. Watch here for release details – cooming soon!
👉 Sign up for the Hockey Docs Insiders Email List and you’ll receive a free bonus c content, includin our upcoming ebook Draft Day Dreams, an exclusive digital companion to the book — featuring even more draft profiles and prospect stories.
Some players make it. A few change everything.