The Anaheim Ducks have acquired defenseman Nathan Oystrick and a conditional selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for right wing Evgeny Artyukhin.
Oystrick, who is out of action right now with a broken jaw, will likely remain with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, opening up a roster spot for the Ducks to recall another forward.
Oystrick, 27, has played the entire 2009-10 season with the Wolves, Atlanta’s primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League. In 41 games with the Wolves, Oystrick has earned seven goals and 16 assists for 23 points with a plus-6 rating and 74 penalty minutes. Among Chicago defensemen, Oystrick ranks first in scoring, second in goals, and tied for first in assists. The 6-foot, 205-pound defenseman also leads the team in PIM.
Originally selected by Atlanta in the seventh round (198th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Oystrick made his NHL debut with the Thrashers in 2008-09. In 53 games with Atlanta, Oystrick collected four goals and eight assists with 50 PIM. A native of Regina, Sask., Oystrick has appeared in four AHL seasons with Chicago, collecting 113 points (37g, 76a) with a plus-31 rating and 291 PIM in 203 career games. He has also added 3-14-17 in 39 AHL playoff games, and helped lead the Wolves to the 2008 Calder Cup championship.
