10th year, veteran defenseman Nathan Oystrick(74) returned last season from a pair of years playing for HC Lev Praha putting up some decent numbers and was even an assistant captain in 2013/2014 with a deep playoff run that had him score 4 goals and 7 assists for 11 points in 22 KHL games.
Signing a month into the 2014/2015 campaign on a pto with Springfield Falcons, he only appeared in 12 AHL games before being released a few months later.
The 6′ 205 lbs. blue liner had some time to think about his next pro hockey pursuit and agreed quickly in the off-season to a one-year deal with Elmira Jackals and become the team captain/assistant coach.
He made a good decision and looks to be fitting in nicely with his new role.
It’s his first time in the ECHL and he already has a goal and 8 assists in 13 games.
At 32-years old he may decide to hang up the skates next season (after playing his 500th pro game) but our bet is he’s doing so well and likes it where he is, so he may stay and play at least one more year before heading behind the bench.
Nathan Oystrick(20) HC Lev Praha
7th year unrestricted defenseman Nathan Oystrick(20) is heading to the KHL to skate for HC Lev Praha as he reported on his twitter @Oystie74.
The former Atlanta Thrashers‘ 7th round pick in the 2002 draft (#198 overall) has played 65 NHL games with three different teams but skated all of 2011/2012 with Portland Pirates after signing a one-year, two-way deal with Phoenix Coyotes.
He’s played in 383 AHL regular and postseason contests putting up some respectable stats (69 goals, 162 assists) and won the Calder Cup Trophy with Chicago Wolves in 2008.
At 6′ 210 lbs. he always plays an imposing game and should fit in well with the style of Russian hockey.
