Andrej Nestrasil was among a number of Carolina Hurricanes players attending an informal skate for the first time this season on Tuesday, participating in 2-on-1 drills on goaltender Cam Ward and a 3-on-3 half-rink game at Raleigh Center Ice.
Without a doubt, no one enjoyed the light workout more than he did.
"It felt great," he said, unable to hold back a beaming smile and laugh. "Being back here and being out on the ice today was awesome."
Six months ago, shortly after suffering a season-ending fractured vertebra that initially seemed career-threatening, it was a lengthy task for Nestrasil to simply sit up.
His progression from that feeble stage to full health in time for Hurricanes training camp became an endeavor that completely transformed his perspective on his hockey career _ and on life.
