Václav Nestrasil is a towering right winger who brings a strong mix of size, playmaking, and offensive upside to the Blackhawks organization. His combination of creativity and energy stood out in the USHL and during the playoffs, propelling him into the first round of this year’s draft. With continued physical development and refined decision‑making, Nestradil projects as a high-upside, power winger capable of driving play and complementing top offensive talents — as long as the Blackhawks are patient with his long runway for that growth.
As a scout at Elite Prospects said, “few players outside the top 20 on draft day can match Nestrasil’s combination of projectable floor and tangible upside.”
Background
- Position: Right Wing
- Age: 18 (April 06, 2007)
- Hometown: Praha, CZE
- Height: 6-foot-6
- Weight: 190 pounds
- Shoots: Right
- Team: Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
- Production: 42 points (19 G, 23 A) in 61 regular season games, 13 points (7 G, 6 A) in 14 playoff games
Born in Prague, Nestrasil developed his early game in the renowned HC Sparta Praha youth system, one of the country’s most respected development pipelines. He turned heads at the U17 level with a standout season, racking up 50 points (29 G, 21 A) in 34 games — a performance that earned him a spot with Czechia’s U17 national team, where he added eight points (5 G, 3 A) in 12 games. With his stock rising, Nestrasil made the jump to North America, aiming to round out his game on the smaller ice and prepare for the rigors of pro hockey.
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