A.J. Messier/NHLI via Getty Images(PITTSBURGH) -- The Edmonton Oilers selected 18-year-old Russian forward Nail Yakupov with the first pick in the NHL Draft Friday.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Yakupov played his last two seasons with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League. During the 2010-2011 season, he scored 119 points for Sarnia. That broke the teams rookie scoring record which was held by current Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos.

Yakupov thinks he can help the Oilers this season.

"I think yeah, why not?” said Yakupov. “I have lots of time for work in the summer and work with Edmonton, to try and make the team. I think I’m ready for the NHL.”

Yakupov is the first Russian to be selected first in the draft since Alex Ovechkin was in 2004. He is the Oilers third straight number one pick.

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