Ciernik signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers in March 2026. His deal carries an average annual value (AAV) of $1.00M and runs through the 2028-29 season. The 21-year-old forward scored three points in 19 games for the Lahti Pelicans (LIIGA) and five points in 21 games for the Nybro Vikings IF (HockeyAllsvenskan). He is expected to land with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL) for the 2026-27 season.

The 2024-25 season did prove to be a breakout year for Ciernik in HockeyAllsvenskan, registering 23 points in 46 games. This was almost the same point production as the year prior, where he produced 14 points in 26 games in the same league. Although he got three games at the AHL level in 2024-25 with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Ciernik has signed with the Pelicans in Liiga, Finland’s top league. You can certainly say it is an upgrade from HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second league; however, dynasty fantasy managers should be the only ones keeping an eye on Ciernik to improve his point production, as he has a long road to the NHL if he ever makes it.

Ciernik has made Slovakia’s 2024 World Junior Classic roster. At 19 years old this will be the first and last opportunity for Ciernik to shine on the world stage. The smooth skating winger is having a solid season with his club Vasterviks IK in Sweden, tallying four goals and eight assists in 19 games.

Arguably the biggest steal of the 2023 NHL Draft, Ciernik has opened the season in Sweden with Vasterviks IK and already has six points in just eight games. He has explosive speed and likes to show it off in transition, often catching opposing defenders off guard. The 19-year-old is already half way to last season’s point total and has already matched last seasons goal output with three. This could be a breakout season for the Flyers 4th round pick.

Ciernik was selected 120th overall by the Flyers.

Ciernik spent most of last season playing for Södertälje’s J20 team, notching an impressive 47 points in 43 games to lead all 2023 draft eligibles playing in the J20 Nationell. He also played 11 games in the Allsvenskan but was held off the scoresheet in his first real taste of pro hockey. He represented his country at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup as a late ’04 birth date, notching an impressive seven points in five games.

Ciernik is a very shifty winger with excellent skating ability who can keep defenders on their heels with his speed. While he’s not the most offensively gifted player in the class, he can beat defenders and make plays happen at high speeds – a skill that should help him translate his game to the next level. He possesses great vision and playmaking ability but is still a little too rush-focused and could better utilize his skillset to create off of extended possessions. Ciernik is undersized at just 5-10, but he plays bigger and doesn’t shy away from contact. I’m still not 100% sold on Ciernik’s high-end offensive skill, but I hope he proves me wrong and displays great offensive production throughout the season.