Andrej Nestrasil, the Carolina forward that spent last year primarily in the AHL, has signed on to play with KHL club Neftekhimik, the league announced on Friday.
Nestrasil, 26, made waves back in March while playing for the Charlotte Checkers, unloading on the ‘Canes organization in an interview with Czech news outlet Blesk. Nestrasil said he was “done here, 100 percent,” adding “I don’t way to stay here.”
His frustration stemmed from the aftermath of a fractured vertebra, an injury that prematurely ended his ’15-16 campaign. He recovered in time to start last season, but only dressed 16 times -- compared to 24 healthy scratches -- before he was waived in early January.
In speaking with Blesk, he said the ‘Canes “didn’t give me much of a chance after the injury.”
“When I first got hurt, they wanted to help and were promising me things all over the place,” he continued. “But when it came down to it, they weren’t willing to actually do anything.”
Nestrasil cleared waivers, and joined the Checkers. He’s finished up the year scoring 14 points in 39 games.
This falling out between player and club happened pretty quickly. It was only two years ago that Nestrasil scored a career-high 23 points in just 55 games. Shortly thereafter, Carolina inked him to a $1.825 million extension, calling him a “a big body and a good fit for our team and what we’re trying to do.”
