The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed defenceman Andrej Sustr to a one-year, $1.95 million contract. The 26-year old was a pending restricted free agent.
We have re-signed Andrej Sustr to a one-year, $1.95 million contract.
📝: https://t.co/7DmWFAenTz pic.twitter.com/NbytYAT10a
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 26, 2017
Tampa Bay Lightning Re-Sign Defenceman Andrej Sustr
After playing in the HC Plzen system, Sustr came over to play for the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL at age 18. Undrafted, the Czech native moved on to the University of Nebraska-Omaha. In three seasons with the Mavericks, Sustr began to make a name for himself as a giant, punishing defenceman. Following the 2012-13 campaign in which he recorded 25 points in 36 games, to go with 53 PIM, the Tampa Bay Lightning signed him as an undrafted free agent.
Sustr spent minimal time in the American Hockey League. He joined the Syracuse Crunch for eight regular season games following his final collegiate year. The Crunch made a run to the Calder Cup Final, losing to the Grand Rapids Griffins in six games. Since then, Andrej Sustr has just played 12 games in the American Hockey League.
Not known for his offensive capabilities, Sustr recorded four goals and 14 points in a career-high 80 games. A bruising defender, listed at 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, Sustr has been a solid piece on the Lightning’s right side. Although Tampa’s left side features the likes of Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman, the right side is lacking. Sustr’s emergence as a dependable player has been a big help to a Tampa team that has suffered many injuries in the past two seasons.
As a member of the Lightning, the 26-year-old already has plenty of postseason experience. He has played 46 games in the playoffs in the NHL, to go with 18 in the AHL.
His recent success resulted in his first national appearance with the Czech Republic at the World Cup of Hockey last fall.
Sustr will be an unrestricted free agent when the contract expires following the 2017-18 season.
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