The Left Wing Lock

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Andrej Nestrasil is seizing his opportunity with Grand Rapids. The 6-foot-2, 200 pound forward didn’t make the Griffins out of training camp and eventually started the season with Toledo of the ECHL. After just a single game with the Walleye, he was recalled to Grand Rapids

The Griffins, who are without the service of forward Mitch Callahan (suspension) and Landon Ferraro (concussion), needed an extra forward. Nestrasil has notched two goals and assist in three AHL games. Outside of Gustav Nyquist and Chris Connor, the big winger has been one of the Griffins more productive forwards and is earning the trust of the coaching staff.

The Prague, Czech Republic native is a solid package of size and offensive skills, but his skating and acceleration remain a concern and likely contributed to his demotion at the start of the season. That being said Nestrasil is giving the coaching and management staffs something to think about once the full roster of players is available. The Griffins will need to demote a player to Toledo, but the 20 year-old right wing is hoping his performance will be enough to extend his stay.

If he does eventually return to Toledo, don’t look for Nestrasil to sulk about the decision. He’ll just continue to work hard and hope for another chance to prove himself later in the season.

“It’s about the NHL so there will of course be competition to play in Grand Rapids,” he said during the Red Wings training camp in September. “I just need to compete and work hard and hope that I am going to make the team. I hope it’s going to work out for me.”