Walleye forward Nestrasil called up to AHL

Toledo signs Trevor Nill

1/2/2013
BLADE STAFF
Walleye player Andrej Nestrasil takes the puck past Kalamazoo's Joe Charlebois during a game last month.
Walleye player Andrej Nestrasil takes the puck past Kalamazoo's Joe Charlebois during a game last month.

Toledo Walleye forward Andrej Nestrasil earned both an award from the ECHL and a call up to the American Hockey League today.

Nestrasil, who is tied for the team lead with 31 points, was named the ECHL Plus Performer of the Month for December. Nestrasil, whose plus-minus rating was a plus-13 last month, also was promoted to Grand Rapids of the AHL.

To replace Nestrasil, the Walleye signed forward Trevor Nill today. Nill played four years at Michigan State University. He appeared in 128 games for the Spartans and scored six goals to go along with 15 assists.

Nestrasil, who is in his second season with the Walleye, has collected 31 points with 10 goals and 21 assists in 30 games.

Nestrasil was called up to Grand Rapids on Dec. 17 and played three games with the Griffins. He had no points for the Griffins before being reassigned to Toledo on Dec. 28.

On Monday, Nestrasil was a plus-5 in a 9-4 win at Fort Wayne. He was a plus or better in each of his 10 games in December games. Overall, he leads the Walleye in plus-minus rating at plus 14.

Nestrasil, a third round draft choice of the Detroit Red Wings in 2009, has at least one point in each of his last 11 games with four goals and 14 assists during the streak. The 31 points is two more than Nestrasil collected in 51 contests with Toledo a season ago.

Nill will join the Walleye for their next game on Friday night at Kalamazoo.

Nill was drafted in 2007 by St. Louis in the seventh round. He is the son of Detroit Red Wings vice president and assistant general manager Jim Nill.

The center was an assistant captain the last two seasons at Michigan State.

Toledo returns home on Saturday to host Orlando at the Huntington Center.