It was seven years ago today the Edmonton Oilers drafted defenceman Darnell Nurse seventh overall.

In his first year post-draft, Nurse had only spent two games with the Edmonton Oilers before being sent to back to the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds, where he scored 10 goals and 33 points in 36 games.

His first full season in Edmonton came in 2015-16 where he scored 10 points in 69 games, but it’s taken some time for him to develop his game.

Now seven years in, Nurse has established himself as a solid top-four defenceman and in the last two years shown the offensive upside he showed in his junior days.

In the last two years, he’s scored 74 points in 153 points in what’s been a welcomed burst to the Oilers lineup. Edmonton’s longed for a point contributor on the back end and Nurse is showing he can be that.

In February, the Oilers signed him to a two year, $5.6-million contract lasting through the 2021-22 season.

On Twitter: @zjlaing