Although Erik Cernak and Slovakia didn't walk away with a medal at the Olympic Games, they came very close in 2026.
The odds that they'd have any kind of success were dropped substantially when NHL players were allowed to return for the 2026 Olympics, but the Lightning defenseman and his countrymen showed that they're not backing down.
Despite a history filled with players like Marian Hossa, Zdeno Chara, and quite a few other high caliber players, Slovakia has only left the Olympic Games with a hockey medal one time in the nation's history. That medal came in the 2022 Olympics when they overcame the odds to win a bronze medal, defeating Sweden 4-0.
This season, they were given the tough task of playing against the reigning gold medalists, Finland. Although they weren't able to overcome the odds for a second straight Olympics, Slovakia certainly showed they belonged.
Cernak, who was an alternate captain for Slovakia, played all six games for his country and recorded a single assist and 14 penalty minutes throughout the tournament.
At 28 years of age, it's likely we'll see Cernak back on their blue line during the 2030 Olympics in the French Alps.