Boston Bruins Prospects: Frank Vatrano and Austin Czarnik Named To AHL All-Rookie Team
Boston Bruins Prospects: Frank Vatrano and Austin Czarnik Named To AHL All-Rookie Team After Excelling In Their First Year
Two members of the Boston Bruins system have been named to the AHL All-Rookie team. Frank Vatrano — 33 goals and 16 assists for 49 points in 33 games, +17 plus/minus rating, and three hat tricks — and Austin Czarnik — 16 goals and 40 assists for 56 points in 62 games, +15 plus/minus rating — were both named to the team for the 2015-16 season.
Some current NHL players who have received All-Rookie honors in the AHL in their career include: Zdeno Chara, Marc Savard, Daniel Briere, Jason Spezza, Cam Ward, Thomas Vanek, Mike Greeen, Jaroslav Halak, Bobby Ryan, John Carlson, PK Suban, Logan Couture, Gustav Nyquist, Tyler Johnson, Sami Vatanen and Tyler Toffoli, among others. The distinction of being named to the AHL All-Rookie team doesn’t necessarily mean that Austin Czarnik and Frank Vatrano will excel at the NHL level, but they are certainly in good company nonetheless.
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Frank Vatrano‘s season has been widely discussed for most of the current season. The Massachusetts-native has been absolutely dominant at the AHL level this season, posting a goal-per-game average with 33 goals in 33 games this season while also adding 16 assists. Only three players in AHL history have scored at a goal-per-game pace in the AHL while also scoring at least 30 goals. Vatrano’s goal-scoring ability can be largely credited to his affinity to shoot the puck.
The 22 year-old has taken 172 shots at the AHL level, amounting to 5.2 shots-per-game. Vatrano has been far more inconsistent at the NHL level, scoring eight goals and three assists in his 37 games so far this season, but those numbers should rise in time.
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Austin Czarnik has has an amazing season as well, which makes his All-Rookie honors well-deserved as well. Czarnik is tied for the lead in AHL scoring among rookies with 56 points — 16 goals and 40 assists — in 62 games. Czarnik is ninth in the entire AHL in scoring, proving that he’s not only producing well for a rookie, but as a player in general.
Czarnik has also gone on two five-game scoring streaks this season and he has shown that he can produce on the power play as well. With 25 power-play-points this season, Czarnik is tied for fourth place in the league which has been very helpful to lead the Providence Bruins to the AHL’s best power play.
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Both Austin Czarnik and Frank Vatrano could have bright futures with the Boston Bruins assuming they continue to produce at the level they have been in their first year. Frank Vatrano is currently in the midst of his second opportunity to play at the NHL level, and Austin Czarnik’s first opportunity should come at some time next season with the Bruins only having two games remaining on their season with playoff aspirations. The Bruins future looks very bright, regardless of how they’re current NHL roster looks right now.