Austin Czarnik’s Uncertain Future, ‘Just Going to Have Fun’

If you follow the New York Islanders, you are more than likely aware that forward Anthony Beauvillier writes “have fun” on the butt-end of his sticks, as a subtle reminder to himself that hockey is just a game. Although Austin Czarnik does not mimic Beauvillier’s habit, his mindset has been the same despite the uncertainties that come with his role.

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“I think you just have to focus on what you can control,” Czarnik said. “That’s coming to the rink every day ready to work and just having fun.”

“I think if you are not focusing on what’s gonna happen or if you are going to be sent down, or be here for a while, I just go out there and have fun. That’s going to set you up for the most success you are going to have.”

Throughout all the injuries and the issues with COVID-19, Czarnik has served as the next man up more often than not for Islanders head coach Barry Trotz. And although playing time is not a given, Czarnik has played a valuable role when he is in the lineup.

He has played in five of the last six games for the Islanders, with the Islanders playing to a 3-1-1 record in those games.

In Saturday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers, Czarnik picked up the primary assist on Anthony Beauvillier’s third-period equalizer.

He worked hard to win a puck battle in the corner and then went towards the Edmonton net.

TIED UP. pic.twitter.com/z2CdYLaaao

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 1, 2022

Czarnik, based on the type of player he is, has had success in the defensive-minded system Trotz has in place. Regardless of who has been line, each player has bought into the system and it has paid off.

“I’m a two-way forward so I feel like I just fit in pretty nicely,” Czarnik said. “We chip in offensively when we can but we focus so much on defense and just being able to be reliable out there and I think we’ve done a good job of that.”

“It’s a good system that I like playing in and it’s been good so far.”

As for what the coaching staff saw in Czarnik prior to signing him to a two-year deal ($725 K AAV) before the start of the 2020-21 season and what’s allowed him to be successful, associate coach Lane Lambert had this to say.

“We knew that he was a player that was a reliable player. He’s got quickness, he’s got speed. I think that’s the biggest thing about him and the biggest reason that he’s having success [is] because he’s trustworthy.”

“If you watch him in the defensive zone, he’s in the right position, doing the right things. He’s added a little bit of an element of speed and a touch of grit as well. He’s a guy that has the ability to play in the national hockey league and we are pretty happy with the way he is playing.”

Czarnik has split time between the NHL and the AHL affiliate in Bridgeport this season. He has one goal and three assists in eight games with the Islanders, with six goals and nine assists in 20 AHL games.

With Brock Nelson, Kyle Palmieri, and Oliver Wahlstrom gearing up to return after this break in play, plus the recent success of Kieffer Bellows, earning minutes will be tough for Czarnik.

But that is out of his control.

Czarnik knows that he needs to show up each day to practice and continue to do what he has done for the Islanders this entire season and whatever happens from that point on, happens.