Nov. 18--When the Blackhawks take the ice against the Oilers on Wednesday night to kick off a six-game road trip, they will face one of the NHL's top young defensemen in Darnell Nurse.
The 20-year-old's rise to the Oilers' blue line after being selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2013 draft isn't much of a surprise considering his family pedigree.
Nurse is the son of former Canadian Football League wide receiver Richard Nurse and the nephew of former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb. His cousin Sarah Nurse plays college hockey at Wisconsin. And his sisters have excelled in basketball. Kia plays for defending NCAA champion Connecticut and is a member of the Canadian national team. Tamika played at Oregon and Bowling Green.
"Everyone just gravitated toward sports and have always been driven and love to play," said Nurse, a Hamilton, Ontario, native. "My younger sister is at UConn and is winning all the championship baubles right now. It's great to kind of look around and know I have their support but to also be a fan of them. I've really been blessed to have not only the support but also have the ability to go out and see the people in my family do what they love too."
Nurse said he's not sure how he ended up playing hockey after being surrounded by so much football and basketball growing up.
"I've loved it ever since the first time I stepped on the ice," Nurse said. "It's just always been a passion and something I love to do."
Star talk: The NHL is scheduled to announce the format for the 2016 All-Star Game on Wednesday and, according to SportsNet in Canada, under consideration is a three-on-three tournament instead of a traditional game.
Hawks captain Jonathan Toews said he is all for "anything to promote any sort of intensity or excitement during the game."
Recent All-Star Games have become nothing more than offensive showcases with little to no defense played and no checking.
"There needs to be a little more energy, a little more effort and I think it's much more entertaining for the fans," Toews said after Tuesday's practice.
Sitting out: After being in the lineup the first 16 games of the season, forward Andrew Desjardins has been a healthy scratch the last two games. The veteran, who has no points and is a minus-8, did not skate among the top four lines during Tuesday's practice.
"He needs to bring energy," coach Joel Quenneville said. "Last year he came to our team and did a great job around the puck, bringing us some energy and consistency. We're looking to recapture that."
ckuc@tribpub.com
