Nail Yakupov Named CHL and OHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that top 2012 NHL Entry Draft prospect Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia Sting is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 16.  Yakupov recorded 12 points in four games scoring two goals with 10 assists and a plus-minus rating of plus-8.

Yakupov produced four multi-point games leading the Sting to four wins on the week beginning on Thanksgiving Monday when he picked up three assists as part of a 4-3 overtime win over the Windsor Spitfires.  The OHL’s assist leader continued to set up his teammates on Friday night when he matched a personal best with four helpers as third star of a 7-2 win over the Saginaw Spirit.  His week also included a goal and two assists as second star of a 5-4 overtime win over the Plymouth Whalers, and a two-point game on Sunday with a goal and an assist in a 4-3 win over the top ranked London Knights.


Yakupov, an 18-year-old from Nizhnekamsk, Russian, is playing in his second OHL season with the Sting and is eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.  Last season he was named the OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year and currently leads the OHL in scoring with 25 points in 10 games with seven goals and a league-high 18 assists for the Sting who are tied for the West Division lead with 17 points.

Also considered for the award this week was Calgary Flames first round pick Sven Bartschi of the Portland Winterhawks who scored three goals and four assists for seven points in two games, while Jérôme Raymond produced the same offensive numbers in three games for the Drummondville Voltigeurs. 

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Sarnia Sting forward Nail Yakupov is the OHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 16 after leading the league with 12 points in four games scoring two goals with 10 assists and posting an impressive plus-minus rating of plus-8.

Yakupov led the Sting to four straight wins beginning on Monday in a 4-3 overtime win over the Windsor Spitfires where he recorded three assists.  He matched a career-high on Friday night with four assists and was named third star of a 7-2 win over the Saginaw Spirit before claiming second star honours on Saturday with a goal and two assists in a 5-4 overtime win over the Plymouth Whalers.  His week wrapped up on Sunday scoring once and adding an assist in a 4-3 win over the London Knights.

Yakupov, an 18-year-old Russian native of Nizhnekamsk, is playing in his second OHL season with the Sting and was named the OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year last season.  The 2012 NHL Entry Draft prospect currently leads the OHL in scoring with 25 points in 10 games with seven goals and a league-high 18 assists.

Also considered for the award this week was Yakupov`s teammate and New Jersey Devils prospect Reid Boucher who picked up nine points in four games scoring five goals and four assists, and Brett Findlay of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds who scored three goals and five assists for eight points in three games.  In goal, Keegan Wilson of the Brampton Battalion went 1-0-1-0 with an impressive goals-against-average of 0.98 and save percentage of .963.