Darnell Nurse is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman serving as an alternate captain for the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL as of May 2025. Born on February 4, 1995, Nurse comes from an athletic family, with his father being a former Canadian Football League player, and his mother, a collegiate basketball player.
Before starting his NHL career, Nurse played for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the OHL, where he was the team captain. Drafted seventh overall by the Oilers in 2013, Nurse made his NHL debut the following year on October 14. At the international level, he won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2015 World Junior Championship and a silver at the 2019 IIHF World Championship.
Also Read: Darnell Nurse Contract
Darnell Nurse parents
Darnell Nurse is the son of Richard and Cathy Nurse.
His father, Richard, is a former wide receiver for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League (CFL). His mother, Cathy (nee Doucette), was a basketball player at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Cathy also played volleyball and track. (via the official website of the NHL)
Darnell Nurse siblings
Darnell Nurse's older sister, Tamika Nurse, is a former basketball player. She played at Bowling Green State University and the University of Oregon.
Darnell’s younger sister, Kia Nurse, has become a household name in Canadian basketball. At just 15, Kia led her team, St. Thomas More Secondary in Hamilton, to three back-to-back OFSAA championships. She also won two NCAA championships with the University of Connecticut, represented Canada in international competitions, and became a standout player in the WNBA with the New York Liberty, as per CBC Sports. As of May 2025, Kia represents the Chicago Sky in the WNBA.
Darnell Nurse's other family members
Apart from his immediate family, Darnell’s uncle, Donovan McNabb, is a six-time Pro Bowl quarterback who played 13 NFL seasons. His cousin Sarah Nurse is an Olympic hockey player for Team Canada and plays for the Toronto Sceptres in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) as of May 2025.
Darnell Nurse wife
Darnell Nurse is married to Mikayla Nurse (nee Marelli) as of May 2025. She is a competitive dancer who has trained at programs such as Interlochen Center for the Arts, Debbie Allen’s summer intensive, and MuseEffect, as per Studio Dance Arts' Facebook page. The couple tied the knot in August 2022.
Darnell Nurse kids
Darnell Nurse and his wife, Mikayla Marelli, have two children named Aiden Wolfe Nurse and Chase Richard Joseph Nurse, born in 2021 and 2023, respectively. (via Mikayla Nurse's Instagram account)
FAQs on Darnell Nurse
A. Darnell Nurse's father Richard Nurse is a former wide receiver for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
A. Darnell Nurse has two sisters, Tamika and Kia.
A. The Nurse family is from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
A. Darnell Nurse is the younger brother of Tamika Nurse.
