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WHL Portland Winterhawks

From Czechia to the WHL, Marek Alscher Is Making His Mark in Portland

January 20, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


Portland, Ore. - Moving to a new country - especially one that speaks a different language from the one you grew up with - is always a harrowing experience. Everything around you can seem like you're experiencing it for the first time. But as Winterhawks rookie defenseman Marek Alscher now knows, jumping in with two feet can often be the best way to acclimate to your new digs.

"(The move) happened pretty fast. I had a problem with my visa so I came with Jonas (Brøndberg) right after the last pre-season game, then hopped right into a regular-season game and I don't even know how it happened. I just was in a plane, then practicing, then came into Tri-City. It was pretty fast, and now half of the season is behind us, so it's happening pretty fast and I'm trying to enjoy every moment that I'm here," said Alscher.

That's not to say Alscher leapt without looking. As the Winterhawks did their homework on their prospective defenseman, Alscher made sure he knew what he was getting into - and he liked what he saw.

"I was talking with my agent like 'yeah I think (playing in the) CHL is the way to go' and then he showed me that the Portland Winterhawks would like to draft me. So then I, of course, searched Portland, and I remember the first time I saw the video that (Head Coach and General Manager) Mike Johnston sent me, I was like 'I have to go here. This is the place where I want to play'," said Alscher.

Portland drafted Alscher in the first round, 26th overall, in the 2021 CHL Import Draft, and after recording one assist in four games for Czechia in the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Alscher signed with the Winterhawks on Aug. 12 ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.

Now, the 17-year-old blueliner has rapidly developed from a fresh face in the locker room to a mainstay on the team's top pairing. Since fellow import defenseman Brøndberg was dealt for goaltender Taylor Gauthier, Alscher has formed a strong duo alongside co-captain Clay Hanus as the two play big minutes on a nightly basis for the Winterhawks.

But Alscher's talent was plain to see even early on this season. The big Czech was named to NHL Central Scouting's "Preliminary Players to Watch" list in October alongside teammates Ryder Thompson and Marcus Nguyen, and was again recognized with Central Scouting released its mid-term rankings earlier this month. Alscher was ranked #177 in that group, and is the only Winterhawk to appear in both lists this season.

Despite that personal feather in his cap, Alscher is keeping his focus on the ice as the Hawks continue to battle for the top spot in the U.S. Division.

"It's nice to see my name, but right now I'm just trying to focus on the team because now we are in a pretty good situation," he said, "I think with this pace, we're going to continue and we can really make the season big."

But for the Winterhawks, making the season "big" entails one thing - playoff success. Even with about half the season still to play, Alscher and his teammates are working hard to develop habits now that will pay off in May.

"We are definitely focusing on playoffs - these are the most important games of the season, for sure. Mike Johnston told us that we've got to win these games (now), but mostly try to prepare yourself for the playoffs, try to prepare your body, work on the things so that in the playoffs, it's the best game you can play," said Alscher.

Alscher's strong start to life in Portland has him ranked third among WHL rookie defensemen with four goals this season, and his two-way game has blossomed under Winterhawks Associate Coach Don Hay.

Despite the expected challenges that come with adapting to North American ice, the Kladno native is relishing some of the new opportunities on this side of the Atlantic.

"Back in Europe, it was mostly five days of practice and then you have one or two games, and now it's like every third day is a game. I like that because the games are what we like most as players, so I'm enjoying that amount," he said.

His teammates have also been there along the way to aid in overcoming the language barrier and just to help a new teammate feel at home in Portland.

"Yeah probably Luca (Cagnoni), me and Josh Mori - we are the trio that talk the most. I don't really know how it started, just one day started to talk with each other, (they asked me) 'how was it in Czech?', we started to make some jokes. We kind of find the same humor."

Mori and Cagnoni recently gave Winterhawks fans a glimpse of the lighter side of junior hockey, and made sure to find their Czech teammate for a mock "interview" after practice.

After 31 games, the early returns on Alscher's move across the pond are promising, and the NHL is taking notice. But while he waits to hear his name called in Montreal this summer, Alscher is keeping perspective as he gets by with a little help from his friends.

"I'm just trying to focus every game, I feel like every game is better, every game I feel better. The locker room, they took me in really quickly and told me what to do," he said.

"Every time I've got some problems, if it's like language barriers, if I ask my teammates, they are always trying to help me on and off the ice."

Check out the Portland Winterhawks Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from January 20, 2022


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