Tampa Bay Lightning 4th year Slovakian-born defenseman Erik Cernak(81) gets first NHL recall after a hot start with affiliate Syracuse Crunch (2 goals, 5 assists in 9 AHL games) and plays in his debut skating a pretty hefty 24 shifts for 17:06 of ice time with 2 shots, 5 hits, 2 penalty minutes and left a tough 2-1 loss with a +1 rating.
He was a part of back-to-back 2014 & 2015 Slovak Extraliga Championships with HC Kosice before arriving to North America to play a pair of seasons for Erie Otters before committing to turning pro.
Originally a Los Angeles Kings‘ 2nd round pick in the 2015 draft (#43 overall), he was involved in a big trade that sent him east right before the trade deadline, as he was still skating for his junior hockey club.
The 21-year old is in the 2nd year of his three year entry level deal and seems to be mapping out a nice future for himself at the highest level of the game.