Saturday afternoon (or 12:30 a.m. Calgary time) at the Shenzhen Universiade Center, the second incarnation of the O.R.G. NHL China Games gets underway with Round One of the Flames vs. the Bruins.
The rematch is set for Wednesday in Beijing, at Cadillac Arena.
For Czarnik, the first game, although only pre-season, pits his present against his past right off the hop.
After 59 games as a Bruin split over the past two seasons, he signed a two-year free-agent deal to join the Flames this past summer in an effort to jump-start an every-game NHL career.
He holds no bitterness towards the B's. Quite the contrary, in fact.
"There's a decent amount of guys I was close with over there,'' he says. "I felt comfortable with all of them. They're all good guys.
"It's a cool experience to be able to play them my first game with a different team.
"I'm excited for the opportunity."
In a high-tempo workout Friday, Calgary coach Bill Peters had Czarnik platooned on the right flank alongside centre Derek Ryan and Michael Frolik, flip-flopped to left wing.
Austin's powers caught everyone's attention.
"Speed. Good shot, as you saw today,'' says the new boss. "So, as advertised.
"He made a good first impression on the coaching staff, the organization and his teammates. I thought a lot of guys had a good day but he was definitely one who stood out.
"He does have potential powerplay tools, for sure. Did you see that top-shelf shot today? I think there are two groups we can put out, two dangerous units at any time, and have 10 guys capable of playing powerplay. So there's going to be some good internal competition for that ice time.
"He's worked hard for this opportunity. The time is now. So it's up to us to play him enough and in the right situations to allow him to take advantage of his skill set."
While other incoming recruits - James Neal, Noah Hanifin, Elias Lindholm, Ryan - arrived far better known, Czarnik - only 5-foot-9 but full of gusto - represents something of a wild card.
"As I called him before, the best-kept secret that everybody knew about,'' reminded Flames' GM Brad Treliving. "Nothing tall about him. But he's strong. Good on his edges.
"And he thinks the game so well. High-end intelligence. He's one play ahead. Especially on the powerplay. You saw that today. He's moved on to B or C while everyone else is stuck on A.
"In today's game, with so much emphasis on pace and quickness, he's an interesting guy. I thought he had a great day."
The first, it is the unanimous hope, of many.
"I've got to play with speed" saus Czarnik. "That's one of the things I was always told. Play with your pace and you can be a good player. That's one thing I want to focus on.
"And, obviously, have fun out there. Don't get too angry with the mistakes.
"Don't put too much pressure on myself. Just enjoy it.
"Some of the best players in the league today are smaller guys. You've got Marchy. Johnny (Gaudreau). (Jonathan) Marchessault. I watch them, learn from them.
"They play with pace and they're effective. I've got to get in the forecheck. I'm not going to kill people. But I can use my stick to disrupt plays. That's something I've focused on. It's something I want to excel at.
"I'm just so happy to be here and to have this opportunity. It's something I've been waiting for. And now it's here.
"I can't wait to get this started."
