Nestrasil shows hustle

FOR ANDREJ NESTRASIL, leaving his native Czech Republic for Canada was an easy decision. “I needed a new motivation,” he said. “It’s a better league here than Czech junior. It’s a smaller rink here, more physical and more shots. In the Czech Republic, there’s too much stickhandling. It’s a better style here to get players ready for the NHL.” Nestrasil, 17, is a left winger who’s adapting very nicely to his new surroundings with the Victoriaville Tigres. The 6-foot-2, 194-pounder was fourth in rookie scoring with 30 points, including 10 goals, in 36 games. He’s living up to expectations after being selected eighth overall in the 2008 Canadian Hockey League import draft. “He’s got very good size and he uses it well,” said Victoriaville coach Yanick Jean. “He protects the puck well. He’s…

Wilson glitzy and greasy

COLIN WILSON ISN’T your typical center. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Boston University star can see the ice and dish the puck with the best of them. But he is also a power forward. “He has a unique combination of strength, skill and skating,” said Northeastern University coach Greg Cronin. “He’s a young kid with a man-like body and he has real good hands.” Added Union coach Nate Leaman, an assistant with Team USA at the 2009 World Junior Championship: “He knows his strengths and he uses them to his advantage. He loves to drive the net, he’s tough to take the puck from and he’ll go into the dirty areas.” Wilson agreed with that assessment: “Driving the net is definitely one of the things I like to do.” Wilson was BU’s third-leading scorer a year ago with…

Inside the Numbers

Fan Shootout WITH MARK STREIT

DANIEL HOUNJET FROM SASKATOON, SASK., ASKS What was the biggest change for you coming to North America from Switzerland? It’s a whole different world. The NHL is the best league; the speed of the game, the intensity…and you play 82 games instead of 45. MADDIE GRIFFIN FROM BRANDON, FLA., ASKS Who is your favorite band? It’s a Swiss-German rock band called Zuri West. They are from my hometown of Bern. OLIVIER MORIN FROM ST. LAZARE, QUE., ASKS What exercises do you do to get such a great slapshot? I’m working on it every day, taking one-timers after practice. You can always get better. VICTOR LALONDE FROM KINGSTON, ONT., ASKS What’s the key to being successful on offense and defense? You have to take care of the defense first. After that it’s a matter of experience. GLEN CUTHBERT FROM…