DETROIT -- It was quite the week for rookie Andrej Nestrasil, who not only made the Red Wings roster, but also made his NHL debut.
Nestrasil, 23, a Czech Republic native, made the roster because Pavel Datsyuk remains on injured reserve with a separated shoulder he suffered on Sept. 22.
"It was really busy," Nestrasil said after Monday's practice. "It was just unbelievable. I couldn't believe it myself. I really didn't expect to be here so I'm just trying to enjoy every single day I'm here because in life you're up, you're down and it changes really quickly. Every time you're up you try to stay up as long as you can and try to enjoy it."
Nestrasil averaged 11:17 in ice time in his first two games, mostly playing with Darren Helm and Gustav Nyquist.
Nestrasil revealed that his father, Vaclav, was able to make it to Detroit in time to see his son's debut.
"That was great," Nestrasil said. "I'm pretty sure he had a great time. I didn't want to mention it before because I didn't want him to get interviews in the stands and stuff like that. He really just likes to be there quiet and enjoy the game, so that was awesome that he got to be here. My whole family watched all of the games, I think."
It wasn't that long ago that Nyquist was a rookie, so he knows what Nestrasil has been going through.
"He's been great, I think," Nyquist said. "Playing your first game is always a little nervous but I think he's been handling it real well and I think he's shown that he can play in this league. He's a big body who can skate as well and protect the puck very good. He's got some really good skill, too. I've been impressed with him so far."
Although it's only been two games, Nestrasil does have some early impressions of NHL play compared to the AHL.
"I feel like guys don't do as many mistakes here maybe, and every mistake ends up basically in your net," Nestrasil said. "We made a few of them last game and we got scored on twice so I think that's the biggest difference. Obviously I don't have that much experience, I've played two games but what I've seen over the two games is you really gotta be patient in the game and wait for the chance and don't force plays because once you're gonna force plays, then it's going the other way and you're in trouble."
