Lehigh Valley Phantoms forward Alex Ciernik has signed a one-year deal in Finland with the Pelicans, it was announced earlier this week.
Ciernik, a 2023 fourth round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers, split this season between the Phantoms and the Nybro Vikings IF of the HockeyAllsvenskan (Sweden's second tier pro league). In three games with the Phantoms, Ciernik collected an assist while scoring 11 goals and adding 12 assists for 23 points in 46 regular season games with the Vikings.
Before coming over for his brief AHL stint, Ciernik spent his time playing minor hockey in Sweden as well as parts of five seasons in pro hockey. His most successful season as a pro came in 2024-25, where he showcased the ability to create more with the puck on his stick.
With Ciernik heading back overseas, it remains to be seen if he'll make his way back to North America to pursue an NHL opportunity. A talented player, Ciernik would add another solid prospect to the Flyers system if he re-joined the organization. If not, he could likely generate interest if he has a good season in Liiga.