The Boston Bruins have signed Miami of Ohio forward Austin Czarnik, the player announced Tuesday via Twitter.
[tweet https://twitter.com/ACzarnik7/status/582907769201754112 align=”center”]
Czarnik was able to sign an entry-level contract with any NHL team as an undrafted college free agent following the RedHawks’ loss to Providence on Saturday in the NCAA Tournament. He’s a 22-year-old center who posted three consecutive 40-point seasons for Miami, including 45 points (nine goals, 36 assists) in 40 games this season.
Bruins forward Reilly Smith played with Czarnik at Miami, and they were linemates in Smith’s final season with the RedHawks.
“He probably did more than what people expected,” Smith said. “He’s a great passer, very skilled guy and he’s got a lot of speed. There are a lot of good parts of his game that he could definitely help this team. My last year there, I was linemates with him for the entire year. He’s a good player, and it was a joy playing with him.”
There’s no question Czarnik is an exciting prospect and adds lots of skill to an already talented group of young forwards throughout the Bruins’ organization, including David Pastrnak, Ryan Spooner and Seth Griffith.
[tweet https://twitter.com/coreypronman/status/582945611818876928 align=”center”]
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@KChambersSnS
