Win a Signed Hat from Edmonton Oilers First Overall Pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Just like last year, the Edmonton Oilers owned the first overall pick in last weekend’s 2011 NHL Draft. Just like last year, the team selected a young Canadian who promises to be one of the most collectible rookies in the league as soon as he hits the ice.

That ridiculously talented rookie this year is Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, an 18-year-old center who soon enough will team with Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle to form one of the most talented young teams in the NHL.

Just minutes after his name was called to drop the puck on the draft Friday night, Nugent-Hopkins stopped by the Panini America studio for his closeup. Well, for lots of closeups — most of which you’ll see in the can’t-miss gallery below. But know that we took advantage of our quality time with the rookie by acquiring far more than photos.

We also had him sign a hat that we’re going to give away to one lucky reader of The Knight’s Lance. All you have to do to be eligible to win is stroll through the Nugent-Hopkins gallery below as well as our other on-location posts from the 2011 NHL Draft and comment on some of your favorite images. That’s it.

Panini America on Location: Sights and Sounds from Day One at the 2011 NHL Draft
In Uniform: A Gallery of the First-Round Phenoms Selected in the 2011 NHL Draft

We’ll select one lucky commenter at random to win the hat. Four additional winners selected at random will receive autographed photos of 2010 rookies Tyler Seguin, the aforementioned Hall or Jamie McBain.

Enjoy this gallery and the others and be sure to comment on your favorite pics.