Nathan Oystrick (born December 17, 1982) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. Oystrick has previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Atlanta Thrashers, Anaheim Ducks and St. Louis Blues. He was originally drafted by the Thrashers in the seventh round, 198th overall, at the 2002 NHL entry draft. Oystrick was named head coach of the Humboldt Broncos on July 3, 2018, but quit the position less than six months later without explanation.

Playing career

Oystrick was drafted 198th overall in the 2002 NHL entry draft by the Atlanta Thrashers. On March 1, 2010, Oystrick, along with a conditional pick, was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward Evgeny Artyukhin. Oystrick played in three games with the Ducks to end the 2009–10 season before he was bought-out from the remainder of his contract on June 30, 2010.

On July 11, 2010, as a free agent, Oystrick signed a one-year contract with the St. Louis Blues. Oystrick began the 2010–11 season with the Blues' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen, but on November 3, the Blues recalled him from Peoria.

Oystrick signed a one-year contract as a free agent with the Phoenix Coyotes on July 6, 2011. In the 2011–12 season, Oysrick failed to make the Coyotes out of training camp and was reassigned to the team's affiliate, the Portland Pirates, for the duration of the year, scoring 43 points in 60 games.

On June 2, 2012, Oystrick signed a one-year contract with Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) side Lev Praha.

On November 13, 2014, Oystrick returned to North America, signing a professional try-out contract with the Springfield Falcons of the AHL in the 2014–15 season. With an eye to his post-playing career, in the following season, Oystrick signed a one-year contract in a playing and assistant coach role with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL, an affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres on July 9, 2015.

Coaching career

During the 2015-16 off-season, Oystrick opted to end his professional playing career after 10 seasons, agreeing to an assistant coaching role with the Atlanta Gladiators on July 30, 2016.

On July 3, 2018, Oystrick was named the head coach of the Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL, replacing Darcy Haugan who was one of 16 people killed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.

On December 28, 2018, Oystrick announced his resignation from the post of GM and coach. No reason was given, although a formal statement was expected to follow.

After leaving Humboldt, Oystrick went back to coaching in Colorado for the Colorado Academy Mustangs.[citation needed]

He is currently coaching for the Wausau Cyclones.

Career statistics

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
1998–99Regina Pat Canadians AAASMHL4362228214
1999–2000Regina Pat Canadians AAASMHL2991928180
1999–2000Notre Dame HoundsSJHL170005710000
2000–01South Surrey EaglesBCHL609354422480338
2001–02South Surrey EaglesBCHL50154257148
2002–03Northern Michigan UniversityCCHA342101226
2003–04Northern Michigan UniversityCCHA398202898
2004–05Northern Michigan UniversityCCHA407132087
2005–06Northern Michigan UniversityCCHA389202958
2005–06Chicago WolvesAHL20114
2006–07Chicago WolvesAHL801532471051506616
2007–08Chicago WolvesAHL8015284311224381135
2008–09Atlanta ThrashersNHL53481250
2009–10Chicago WolvesAHL4371623961428108
2009–10Anaheim DucksNHL30002
2010–11Peoria RivermenAHL6115304512541127
2010–11St. Louis BluesNHL91239
2011–12Portland PiratesAHL60113243107
2012–13Lev PrahaKHL433694240332
2013–14Lev PrahaKHL43214163622471110
2014–15Springfield FalconsAHL121344
2015–16Elmira JackalsECHL483151833
AHL totals33864142206553576232966
NHL totals655101561
KHL totals865202578264101412

Awards and achievements

AwardYear
College
All-CCHA Second Team2004
All-CCHA First Team2005
CCHA Best Defensive Defenseman2005
AHCA West Second-Team All-American2006
AHL
All Rookie Team2007
Second All-Star Team2007

External links

  • Biographical information and career statistics from, or, or, or, or
Awards and achievements
PrecededbyDoug AndressCCHA Best Defensive Defenseman 2004–05SucceededbyAndy Greene