Pittsburgh, PA – The Canadian Hockey League is excited to announce that Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia Sting was selected first overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers.

With the selection Yakupov becomes the sixth straight CHL player to be chosen first overall following the Oilers choice of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Red Deer Rebels last season, Taylor Hall of the Windsor Spitfires in 2010, John Tavares of the London Knights who was selected first overall by the New York Islanders in 2009, the Sting’s Steven Stamkos chosen by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008, and the Knights’ Patrick Kane picked first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2007.

Sting Head GM and Head Coach Jacques Beaulieu says:"Nail is one of the most offensively skilled players I have ever coached. He is a game breaker who will bring the crowd out of their seat at any given time."

This season Yakupov scored 31 goals and 38 assists for 69 points in 42 games one season after being named the CHL Rookie of the Year with 101 points in 65 games.  The 18-year-old Russian was selected by the Sting second overall in the 2010 CHL Import Draft.

The first round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft continues Friday night June 22 with rounds two through seven taking place on Saturday June 23 at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.