Alex Ciernik

A late 2004 birthday selected by Lethbridge in the import draft but is probably staying with Sweden's Södertälje SK J20 in 2022-23. Čiernik has plenty of upside as a scorer, although he is a bit undersized, but plays big. Displays and excellent backhand, strong up dynamic skating & agility and likes to be involved. In the World Junior U-18, he was fortunate to have Dalibor Dvorsky as his centre and has an eye opening 5 goals and 12 points. This gave everyone a chance to see what he can achieve when playing higher in the line up and their is a strong upside as an attacker. He is one of the draft's pure shooters and loves to let the biscuit fly from any angle if he thinks he can catch the goalies sweet spot. Also a good passer, but he really likes to keep the puck on his stick if possible. Has very good vision and is a good set-up man. Not a speed merchant; more of a speedy in tight areas. Make no mistake: this kid is a one dimensional game breaker with that hides his shot's release point and needs work on his play away from the puck. Also bear in mind he was a dominant player in the Swedish U-20 with Södertälje already last year. Of German and Slovakia descent. His father Ivan had a cup of coffee in the NHL over five seasons.

                                                             --Bill Placzek--

A late 2004 birthday selected by Lethbridge in the import draft but is probably staying with Sweden's Södertälje SK J20 in 2022-23. Čiernik has plenty of upside as a scorer, although he is a bit undersized, but plays big. Displays and excellent backhand, strong up dynamic skating & agility and likes to be involved. In the World Junior U-18, he was fortunate to have Dalibor Dvorsky as his centre and has an eye opening 5 goals and 12 points. This gave everyone a chance to see what he can achieve when playing higher in the line up and their is a strong upside as an attacker. He is one of the draft's pure shooters and loves to let the biscuit fly from any angle if he thinks he can catch the goalies sweet spot. Also a good passer, but he really likes to keep the puck on his stick if possible. Has very good vision and is a good set-up man. Not a speed merchant; more of a speedy in tight areas. Make no mistake: this kid is a one dimensional game breaker with that hides his shot's release point and needs work on his play away from the puck. Also bear in mind he was a dominant player in the Swedish U-20 with Södertälje already last year. Of German and Slovakia descent. His father Ivan had a cup of coffee in the NHL over five seasons.

                                                             --Bill Placzek--