February 5, 2010
By Becky Olsen
Special to USAHockey.com
Nathan Gerbe, a 5-foot-6, 173-pound center and a member of the National Team Development Program from 2003-05, has seen action with the Buffalo Sabres this season and was selected as the 2008-09 AHL Rookie of the Year.
A 5-foot-7, 173-pound right wing, Brian Gionta is an eight-year NHL veteran and currently plays for the Montreal Canadiens.
 | Austin Czarnik has 33 points in 37 games so far this season. |
Two names that many hockey fans are familiar with and a pair of players who have not let their size interfere with their hockey playing abilities.
Hopefully, in a few years, another member of the NTDP Under-18 team will have that same opportunity to show that size does not matter. Instead, heart and desire do. In case you are not convinced, just ask 5-foot-7, 155-pound forward Austin Czarnik. He is out on a daily basis trying to prove that he belongs playing with the “big guys.”
“I have been working out hard because I am not that heavy and not that big,” Czarnik said. “It is probably a disadvantage a little bit because you are not as big or as strong, so you have to work your way to get as strong as you can and as fit as you can.”
If you are still not convinced about Czarnik’s dedication to getting stronger, be sure to ask him about the day he received the phone call from USA Hockey with the invitation to join Team USA. He was more concerned about working out than letting everyone know.
“I was at home, sitting on my chair and watching some TV. They called my dad and he walked into the room and they asked me,” Czarnik said. “I was excited and then went to work out and, after of course, I called everyone [to let them know].”
The Washington, Mich., native started in hockey because his brother, Mike, and cousin Robbie, played the sport. Hockey for Austin actually started with floor hockey before moving to the ice.
“I was just interested and started with floor hockey,” Czarnik said. “I played other sports — baseball and basketball, but I was only interested in hockey since that was the only thing that kept me happy. I could hit people so that was fun.”
One of the benefits for Czarnik was the fact that he was able to watch his cousin Robbie play for the NTDP from 2006-08. Robbie was able to at least offer a few words of advice to his younger cousin, which helped him in the transition.
“[Robbie] said that he really got stronger and it was a good fit for him,” Czarnik said. “He said that it helped develop him as a player so I figured that would be the best option for me growing up.
“His words of advice — ‘Word hard. Don’t Slack.’”
Czarnik has taken those words to heart. This season, Czarnik has tallied 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists) in 37 games. His play on the ice the last few weeks has not gone unnoticed by the USA coaching staff, especially after his seven-point weekend (three goals, four assists) in Team USA’s wins over Waterloo and Indiana.
“The one thing that is important to Austin is his strength. He has worked very hard, spent a lot of time up in the weight room and confidence is a big part of it,” U-18 coach Kurt Kleinendorst said. “The chemistry that he feels with his two linemates — Brandon Saad and Nick Shore — is there. Since I put that line together, his play has gone right up. This was what I have been waiting to see.
“Austin’s attitude has been great all year. He has continued to work hard, which is a reflection of his character and attitude and spent more time up in the weight room. His line is clicking and I love the way he plays and competes. He is not big but he sure plays big. He finishes his checks, he goes to the net and does everything you ask him to do.”
With the season slowly coming to a close, there are a few things that stick out in Czarnik’s memory from his time at the NTDP. Obviously, there is still plenty of time for Czarnik and his teammates to make more memories as Team USA heads to the Under-18 Six Nations in Belarus next week and the IIHF World Under-18 Championship in April.
“Winning the Vlad Dzurilla, which was the only tournament we won last year, is one of my best memories,” Czarnik said. “We need to go in playing as a team and bring each other together, work hard and play a full game and no letdowns. We all played together as a team and hopefully, we will keep on developing and have a chance to win words.”
Right now, Czarnik is focused on the future and he is not worried about his playing plans for next year. It is definitely not an easy topic for Czarnik to discuss, especially when the majority of his teammates have already signed letters for next year. He understands the magnitude but also has just one item on his mind — hockey.
“It is a hard topic right now. I am either going to the OHL or to college; I’m really not sure yet. I am looking at Michigan and BU and then, Windsor is my OHL team. I do not want to focus on that right now; I just want to focus on hockey,” Czarnik said. “After worlds are over, I’ll make a decision. I am pretty sure about that.
“I just put it out of my mind right now. I am not even worried about it. I am just playing hockey and doing what I love. It is not a big thing for me right now.”
More than anything, when he walks away from the NTDP and USA Hockey, Czarnik had the opportunity to wear the USA jersey, something that many players would love to be able to do.
“It means everything — pride and patriotism. It is such an honor to play for them,” Czarnik said. “The coaches are really good; I like them a lot. The team is great to be around. It is almost like a family growing up.”
More than anything, maybe he can become a role model for other players so they can understand how heart and desire can make one a better hockey player. That is what can separate the good players from the great players.
Story courtesy of Red Line Editorial, Inc. |