DU In The Hunt For Big-Time Recruit

(left) Austin Czarnik is weighing offers from the Ontario Hockey League plus college hockey powers Michigan, DU & Boston University

Austin Czarnik, a 5'7 155 lbs. forward from Washington, Michigan is the focus of a renewed recruiting battle. He originally committed to Michigan State in 2008 when he was 16 years-old, but has changed his mind. According to Rivals.com, Czarnik retracted his verbal commitment to Michigan State and is reviewing his future development with Windsor in the OHL (Major Juniors) or NCAA hockey with Michigan, Denver or Boston University.
"I just felt like Michigan State wasn't the place for me; like maybe I was rushed into my decision and that's not what I wanted if I could have taken my time," he said. "But I'm still talking to Michigan State and they'll have a spot for me if I want it."
- Austin Czarnik
Czarnik is eligible for the 2011 NHL Draft and currently plays on the USNDT with DU recruits Jason Zucker and Nick Shore. Because Czarnik is almost a year younger than Zucker he would enroll in college in 2011.

Currently Czarnik is the fifth leading scorer on the USNDT with 7 goals and 18 assists in 33 games. Shore has 13 goals & 16 assists in 37 games (2nd) and Zucker has 12 goals & 9 assists in 32 games (8th).

If Czarnik decides to follow the college route he would play for the Green Bay Gamblers next season in the USHL.
2010 Recruiting Class
F Jason Zucker (U.S. Under-18)
D David Makowski (Green Bay, USHL)
F Nick Shore (U.S. Under-18)
F Beau Bennett (Penticton, BCHL)
F Dan Olszewski (St. Louis, NAHL)

2011 Recruiting Class
D Scott Mayfield (Youngstown, USHL)
F Zac Larraza (U.S. Under-17)
G Sam Brittain (Canmore, AJHL)

2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Team Illinios)

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Czarnik's cousin, Robbie, left the Michigan Wolverines during this season to play with Plymouth of the OHL. Bet he ends up in Windsor.

dggoddard said...

Guessing Windsor is the likely destination, but why drag a bunch of other schools into the recruiting mix after he already verbally committed to Michigan State?

How high will he be drafted with his height & weight? Is he's going to be a first round pick in 2011?

Smaller guys like Brock Bradford (BC), Nathern Gerbe (BC), Maiani & Kyle Ostrow excel in the college game.

I guess we'll find out by the end of the season.

Anonymous said...

What's the scouting report on Nick Shore? Is he as good or better than Drew?

dggoddard said...

Interesting question about Nick Shore. Nick is having a very good year as the #2 scorer on the USNDT. Stats looks to be pretty similar to Drew's statistics last season on USNST.

Nick's not eligible for the NHL Draft until 2011 so most of the internet scouting reports aren't focusing on him this year.

Drew's toughness and faceoff prowess has been a welcome surprise for DU this season. Obviously you'd like to see him get more goals and I think that will come as he learns to shoot closer to the net. Rakhshani gets most of his goals from the 10'-12' range, it seems like Shore uncorks his shots from 15'-25'.

Anonymous said...

I think there's alot more still to come from #23. He's a growing boy. I forsee him being Captain one day

Anonymous said...

Another Czar??? My underlying concern with this dude would be that he's a flight risk. he's already bouncing around with his intentions. Seems like the type to jump at a pro contract as soon as it's waived in his face. But if he's that good.... maybe he'll be another Stasny... who maybe we'd wind up thanking our lucky stars he was on our team for a year or two before he quit school to get paid to play??

But it's good that top talent are mentioning DU as thier 31 or #2 choice.... which will only foster other kids coming up to do the same. Just strengthen's DU's stance, really.

Anonymous said...

Nick is a gamer. He should do very well at DU and at the college level.

Spartie said...

He fell in love with the Miami Ohio campus. There's one more player that is changing his mind too. He better tell the coach soon.