Erie Otters Select Alex Misiak 32nd Overall in CHL Import Draft

The CHL Import Draft is a fantastic way for teams to bolster their depth and the Erie Otters have had plenty of success with this event in the past.

The newest Otter picked in the CHL Import Draft comes with a familiar last name as the Erie Otters have selected forward Alex Misiak #32 overall.

The Malinovo, Slovakia native is looked at as a strong playmaker who has plenty of experience playing at the pro level in his home country.

Misiak had a solid season last year, split between time in Slovakia and the USHL. Most of his time in his native country came with the first team at HKM Zvolen where in 26 games he collected seven points (5G+2A). He then moved to the Waterloo Blackhawks of the USHL where in 28 games he picked up 18 points (7G+11A).

The 18-year-old forward has had opportunities to skate wearing the national colors of Slovakia as well, appearing in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the World Under-18 Championships.

The Misiak name is one that should be very familiar to Otters fans as Alex is the brother of former Otter and current Chicago Blackhawks prospect Martin Misiak.

Otters Director of Hockey Operations Scott Grieve spoke with excitement about what Misiak can bring to the organization.

“We have been closely following Alex’s development for a couple of years now,” Grieve said. “Alex has professional and national team experience, having played pro in Slovakia at 16 and coming into his 17-year-old year prior to coming over to the USHL. Alex is a competitive, energetic, and cerebral forward who can beat opponents both with his skill, and also his tenacity. We are excited to work with Alex on his continued development and we look forward to seeing him in an Otters uniform next season.”

Misiak is the seventh Slovakian player ever taken by the Otters in the Import Draft. Other notables being Erik Cernak (#49, 2015) and his brother Martin (#1, 2023).

“Mišiak’s offensive game is mostly connective plays: Get open inside space, catch the puck, and distribute to the nearby open teammate. But he also shows some skills in flashes. He fires off the catch with power, sets up teammates in the slot after pulling the defence toward him, and weaves through traffic with crossovers. ” – Elite Prospects

The CHL Import Draft – first implemented in 1992 – provides the opportunity for the Ontario, Quebec, and Western Hockey Leagues to break outside of their region-locked North American scouting waters to find hockey talent abroad. This is the only draft every year that involves all three Major Junior hockey leagues simultaneously and collaboratively, and is the only crossover between leagues outside of the Memorial Cup. As well, this is the final CHL event of the 2024-25 season, with the end of the Import Draft marking the official start of the new season across the league(s). This season, teams are allowed to carry up to three import players, expanding the draft to three rounds from the previous two. This was the first time in franchise history that the Otters held the 32nd pick in the draft.

In the 2024-25 season, the Otters held two players selected in the Import Draft. Slovakian forward Martin Misiak (2023, #1 Overall) and goaltender Noah Erliden (2024, #30 Overall) were immense contributors to the Otters first appearance in the second round of the OHL Playoffs since 2017.

Bold indicates selected player who appeared in a game for the Erie Otters.

The Erie Otters are thrilled to welcome Alex Misiak home to the Flagship City and are looking forward to having him join the team in the fall.