Robert Czarnik
Washington Michigan
Pro
| Birthday: 1990-01-25 | Position: C |
| Eligible for draft: 2008 | Shoots: Right |
| Drafted: 2008 | Height: 6-0 |
| Acquired: Trade with Los Angeles, 2014 | Weight: 178 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- C
History
2006-07: Playing in 65 games for the NTDP U-17 team, Robert Czarnik finished second on the team in goals (19) and fourth on the team in points (30).
2007-08: Czarnik played in 57 games for the NTDP U-18 team and finished third on the team in points with 39 (19 goals, 20 assists). Czarnik was a key part of Team USA winning the 2008 U-18 Five Nations tournament by scoring once and contributing two assists in four games. Czarnik also played well at the 2008 IIHF World U-18 Hockey Championships by tallying eight points (three goals, five assists) in seven games. Czarnik was chosen in the third round, 63rd overall, of the 2008 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings.
2008-09: Posted respectable point totals in 38 games on a somewhat young and rebuilding Michigan Wolverine team. As a former member of the NTDP, Czarnik received attention from the Team USA for the U-20 World Juniors Championship, having tried out for the squad but not making the team.
2009-10: Left U of Michigan 12 games into the season and joined the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL where he posted 17 goals and 32 assists in 43 games.
2010-11: Czarnik tied teammate Stefan Noesen (OTT) for the Plymouth Whalers' scoring lead as a 20-year old in his first full OHL season. Czarnik scored 33 goals with 34 assists and was +4 with 46 PMs in 61 games as Plymouth finished third in its division and advanced to the second round of the OHL playoffs. Czarnik scored 4 goals with 5 assists and was -5 with 6 PMs in 11 playoff games.
2011-12: Signed to a three-year entry level contract by the Kings in October 2011, Czarnik made the jump from junior hockey to the AHL – skating in 49 games for Los Angeles AHL affiliate Manchester. Playing primarily a lower line slot, his role steadily grew as the season went on. He finished the year with 8 goals and 15 assists and was plus-seven with 32 penalty minutes. He scored 3 of his 8 goals on the Monarchs' power play. Manchester finished second in the Atlantic Division and lost to Norfolk three games to one in a first round playoff series. Czarnik scored 2 goals and was plus-one with 2 penalties in the Norfolk series.
2012-13: Czarnik played 51 games for the Kings AHL affiliate in Manchester in his second pro season. A healthy scratch at times early in the year due to the presence of NHL forwards during the lockout, he scored 4 goals with 2 assists and was -4 with 22 penalty minutes. The Monarchs finished third in the Atlantic Division and lost to Springfield in a first round playoff series. Czarnik skated in one playoff game and was -1 with no points nor penalty minutes.
Talent Analysis
Czarnik is a talented offensive player who still has a lot of room to develop as a hockey player. He has good vision on the ice, a solid shot, and a developing two-way game.
Future
Czarnik has developed slower than anticipated and he has seen his playing time and production decrease significantly. 2013-14 should be considered a statement year. With younger forwards coming into the system, Czarnik will have to prove he is worth keeping around.
Czarnik was dealt by the Los Angeles Kings to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Steve Quailer in February of 2014.
