Oilers' Yakupov changes jersey number, says 'I promise I’ll work hard, play 100 percent'

Edmonton Oilers forward Nail Yakupov will begin his third NHL season with new digits on his back, as the 20-year-old will ditch No. 64 in exchange for his preferred No. 10 (previously worn by Shawn Horcoff). 

“Yeah, I’ve always played with the No. 10, it’s my favourite number,” Yakupov said, as per the Edmonton Sun. “I don’t want to say too much about it, it’s not like I think changing the number is going to change my game or something, it’s just a number. There may be a different number on my jersey, but the last name is going to be the same.”

The more important number for the Oilers and their fans is point total, and Yakupov will be looking to greatly improve upon his 11 goals and 13 assists in 63 games this past season, as well as a troubling (to some degree) minus-33 rating. 

As such, the young Russian made the decision to return to Edmonton early in order to make a bigger contribution on the ice in 2014-15.

“I hope so, I’m doing everything I can in order to do that,” he said. “I’m pushing myself hard and I’ll work 100 percent every day. We’ll see what it’s going to be like this year. I promise I’ll work hard, play 100 percent. I hope it’s going to be good for me and good for the team. We have to play better than we did last year, so we’ll how it goes.”

Added Yakupov: "I like to be here and take all the ice time I can on the ice and on the gym and work with my trainer and coaches here and just enjoy it.”

It's the right approach to take, as Yakupov attempt to live up to another number: the first overall Draft pick in 2012.