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Oilers send Nurse back to junior

Jannik Hansen, Darnell Nurse

Darnell Nurse #74 of the Edmonton Oilers skates past the defence of Jannik Hansen #36 of the Vancouver Canucks during a preseason NHL game at Rexall Place on September 21, 2013 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (September 20, 2013 - Source: Derek Leung/Getty Images North America)

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.

Related: Goaltending is an issue for Edmonton…again