There was a lot to like about Nurse back at the draft: he was big at 6’4” and 200 lbs, was a good skater who could jump into the rush, and he had a nasty side. Most were sure Nurse would make the jump to the NHL soon.
But in a surprise twist the Oilers were actually going to be patient with a prospect and develop him properly. This meant that Nurse would play two more years in the OHL and get a chance to represent Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships.
The WJHC washeld in Toronto and Montreal and Canada were the favourites to win gold.