The Philadelphia Flyers have signed a few players in recent weeks, and that trend continues today as they signed Alex Ciernik to an entry-level contract that begins in the 2026-27 season. Ciernik was a fourth-round selection in Danny Briere's first draft as general manager, back in 2023.
This contract won't affect the Flyers' contract limit as the deal doesn't begin until next year. Though many players on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms are set to become free agents this summer, giving the Flyers some flexibility in the offseason either way
OFFICIAL: We have signed forward Alex Ciernik to a three-year entry-level contract beginning with the 2026-27 season. https://t.co/zCMz369uP3
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 23, 2026
Since being drafted in 2023, Ciernik has had a difficult developmental path. In his first season after being drafted, Ciernik missed considerable time due to a pair of head injuries. He managed to score four goals and 14 points in 26 games in 2023-24 with Vasterviks IK of the second-tier Swedish Allsvenskan after recovering, but the year was largely a developmental loss. The following year, Ciernik joined the Nybro Vikings, also in the Allsvenskan, and managed 11 goals and 23 points in 46 games.
At the tail end of the 2024-25 season, the Flyers brought Ciernik over to Lehigh Valley to get a few games with the Phantoms. He played in three AHL games, registering only one point, an assist, before returning to Europe. Ciernik then started this season in the Finnish Liiga on the Pelicans, coached by none other than former Flyer Sami Kapanen. Things didn't go so well; Ciernik played 19 games for the Pelicans, scoring a goal and posting two assists, before returning to the Allsvenskan and rejoining the Vikings. His final stat line with the Vikings for 2025-26 was two goals, three assists, and a minus-7 goal differential in 21 games.
Ciernik, 21 years old and now listed as six feet tall and weighing in at 183 pounds, is a highly skilled winger. While his development hasn't gone according to plan, there's still talent there. There's set to be significant turnover on Phantoms this summer, so Ciernik should get plenty of ice time to try and get his career back on track.