To say that Milan Kytnar’s season has been interesting is an understatement. The 22 year-old centerman from Topolcany, Slovakia has suited up for three different teams at three levels of hockey this season, making him well traveled for such a young prospect.

Kytnar, the Oilers fifth-round pick (127th overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, spent his rookie season with the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League, playing in 78 games and logging 29 points (13-16-29).



It was a promising season in which he finished strong; however he began the 2011-2012 season with an injury that would keep him off the ice during training camp. Depth pushed Kytnar to the Oilers ECHL affiliate in Stockton, Calif.  He played 14 games with the Thunder, scoring eight points (5-3-8).

Kytnar held his own in his first ever NHL game.

Injuries and suspensions gave Kytnar the opportunity he had been waiting for and he was recalled by Oklahoma City on November 23. He played in seven games for OKC, recording one assist before he was assigned to Stockton again.



A sickness to recently recalled center Ryan O’Marra forced the Edmonton Oilers to make an emergency call up, allowing Kytnar to go from the ECHL to the NHL in one move. He appeared in his first career NHL game on January 11.  He played nearly six minutes in the game and recorded one shot on goal.

“It was amazing. I’ve got to say it was amazing,” Kytnar said.



Now he is back in Oklahoma City skating with the Barons in a league and with a team he is where he can prove he belongs.



“Last season, I had not a bad season for a rookie. I had a pretty strong finish and I wanted to build off it this season. But unfortunately it didn’t happen. So when I’m (in OKC) I try to perform the best that I can and try to fight for my spot here.”

The call-up to Edmonton served as a wake-up call for Kytnar who needed a little push to get his season back on track.

“

The call (from Edmonton) I got… really, really pushed me forward and it was something I need. Something like a little kick to… stay focused, stay positive and even if things aren’t really going the way you would like. So it really helped a lot.”



The well traveled forward has certainly racked up the experience this year.

The adversity that the young centerman has faced early this season has been something he has not only faced head on but embraced as a lesson to learn from.

“It’s definitely something I will carry on for the rest of the season. If you get to do something like that it’s only motivation for you to keep going and keep pushing.”



The leason learned? Stay positive and keep skating.



“The main thing for me, probably, about this season is to keep working and stick with it.”

Prospect Stats Updated as of Thursday, January 19, 2012.