Austin Czarnik signs two-year, two-way contract with the Red Wings

Austin Czarnik is now a two-time former Islander.

The UFA who was claimed off waivers last season by Seattle and played six games with the expansion Kraken before being claimed back by the Islanders signed a two-year, two-way deal with Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old center was a key piece for the Bridgeport Islanders, registering 37 points (14G, 23A) in 38 games. He played well with the Islanders, scoring two goals and adding three assists in 11 games. While not an integral piece of the team's future his game drew praise from the coaching staff. "I’m a fan of Austin," former head coach Barry Trotz said during the season. "He’s a fantastic young man who I have a lot of appreciation for.”

Czarnik should play a similar role in the Detroit organization as he did for the Islanders, that being the team's 13th or 14th forward on the depth chart. He's expected to spend the majority of his time with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL).

"We knew that he was a reliable player," Lambert said of Czarnik on Jan. 4. “He’s got quickness, he’s got speed. That’s the biggest thing about him. And the reason why he’s had success is that he’s trustworthy."