Drew Czerwonka

Hometown:

Glenavon Saskatoon

Currently Playing In:

CHL

Birthday:

1992-07-01

Position:

LW

Eligible for draft:

2010

Shoots:

Left

Drafted:

2010

Height:

6-2

Acquired:

6th round (166th overall), 2010

Weight:

189 lbs.

Probability of Success
  • C

History

2008-09: Czerwonka scored 16 goals in 55 games for the Kootenay Ice (WHL) as a 16-year-old. He also had two assists and was -10 with 83 PMs (including ten fights) as the Ice finished third in their division and reached the playoffs. Czerwonka was scoreless and -2 with 5 PMs in the Ice's four-game playoff series with Brandon.

2009-10: Czerwonka skated in 54 of 72 games for Kootenay in his second season in the WHL and was third on the team with 106 PMs, including 11 fights. He scored 4 goals with 9 assists and was -5 on an Ice team that finished second in its division before falling to Medicine Hat in a six-game first round playoff series. Czerwonka scored 1 goal with 2 assists and was -1 with 9 PMs in the playoffs. Not listed among the 210 North American skaters in Central Scouting's final rankings, he was selected by the Oilers in the sixth round (166th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft.

2010-11: Czerwonka emerged as a play-making, two-way energy forward in his third WHL season as Kootenay advanced to the Memorial Cup after winning the WHL playoff championship. In 68 regular season games he scored 13 goals with 30 assists and cut down on the penalty minutes (78); finishing +9 as the Ice finished third in their division. Czerwonka skated in 13 of 19 games during the playoffs, missing much of the first round series with a shoulder injury, and scored 2 goals with 3 assists with a -2 plus/minus and just 4 PMs. In five Memorial Cup games he scored 1 goal with 2 assists and was an even plus/minus with 6 PMs.
 

Talent Analysis

A physical player, Czerwonka isn't afraid to lay the big hit, work in the corners, and stand up for himself or his teammates. He has excellent leadership qualities and his combination of hard work and willingness to go to the dirty areas of the ice has seen him emerge as solid scorer at the WHL level, however it is highly unlikely he will bring much offense at the next level. He's the kind of hard working, jack of all trades, energy player that often fills the unsung hero role at the pro level.

Future

Currently playing his fourth full WHL season, Czerwonka is a good bet to turn pro next season but may need to start in the ECHL due to the depth ahead of him. He's a longshot for an NHL career, however if he makes it, he will be playing the role of bottom six energy player.

2013 U18 WJC: Note and quotes from Sochi/Adler

by Chapin Landvogt
on
Bolshoy Ice Dome - Sochi Olympic Village

Photo: The Bolshoy ice Dome will be the main venue for hockey at the 2014 Winter Olympics, and has been one of the arenas employed during the 2013 U18 WJC (courtesy of Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images)

Some notes and quotes gathered during the preliminary round of the 2013 U18 World Junior Championship being held in Sochi/Adler, Russia.

Read more»

Mix of grit and skill found in Calgary Flames prospect awards

by David Thicke
on

Sven Baertschi - Calgary Flames

Photo: Flames winger Sven Baertschi, who possesses great instincts and determination with the puck on his stick, took home the award for the Best Offensive Prospect (courtesy of Dustin Bradford/Icon SMI)

The Calgary Flames 2013 Hockey's Future prospect awards are based on the 2012-13 regular season performances in all the leagues in which they have played this year. The award winners are selected by the HF writers and decided on after all the tabulations of the opinions from the HF staff.

Read more»

2013 U18 WJC Video: Andre Burakovsky, Sweden

by Chapin Landvogt
on
Andre Burakowsky - Sweden

Photo: Sweden’s Andre Burakowsky is the son Robert Burakowsky, a long-time European pro player who spent part of one NHL season with the Ottawa Senators (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt/HF)

Sweden was sailing through the preliminary round of the 2013 U18 World Junior Championship until they ran into a brick wall in the form of Team Canada in the final game of the opening round. Canada blanked the Swedes, 6-0, marring what had otherwise been a good showing for Sweden at this U18.

Read more»

2013 U18 WJC Video: Connor McDavid, Canada

by Chapin Landvogt
on
Connor McDavid - Erie Otters

Photo: Erie Otters forward Connor McDavid’s first OHL season was a personal success, and he has carried over that performance to the 2013 U18 WJC (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

Hype is nothing new to Team Canada's Connor McDavid as it has followed him since he was granted exceptional player status as a 15-year-old, which allowed him to compete in the OHL one year earlier than other players in his age group.

Read more»

2013 U18 WJC Video: Tim Bender, Germany

by Chapin Landvogt
on
Tim Bender - Germany

Photo: Germany is returning four players from last year’s U18 squad, including defenseman Tim Bender (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt/HF)

Regardless of how the playoff round of the 2013 U18 World Junior Championship turns out for Germany, the fact they have extended themselves beyond the preliminary round and, most importantly, avoided the relegation round, has to be viewed as some measure of success for this developing hockey country.

Read more»