Forward Austin Czarnik—who played 34 games for the Red Wings in a depth role this season—has signed a one-year contract to join SC Bern in Switzerland’s top tier National League.

It’s something of a surprise to see the 31-year-old Czarnik essentially punt on playing NHL games in the coming season, but the Swiss league has its benefits.  It is generally believed to be the second most lucrative league in the world, with benefits including a car and housing, and Czarnik will join a roster featuring ex-NHLers Dominik Kahun and former Red Wing Patrik Nemeth.  The club can also claim current Devils captain and star Nico Hischier as an alumnus.

Czarnik only had one NHL point this season (an assist), but he was a player who earned frequent plaudits from coach Derek Lalonde for his effort and reliability.  During Detroit’s playoff push, he earned a regular spot in the lineup for those qualities.  Meanwhile, at the AHL level, he was also a more productive player, scoring 28 points in 38 regular season games with Grand Rapids, before adding eight more in nine Calder Cup Playoff games.

He perhaps could have filled the same AHL/NHL-hybrid role he took on this year for the Red Wings again in 2024-25, but between depth signings like Tyler Motte and the further progress of youngsters like Carter Mazur and Marco Kasper, his odds at NHL minutes were realistically a bit diminished.  Instead, Czarnik has opted to take his talents abroad for a new European chapter to his career.