After trading away its first and second round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito’s first selection of the two-day event in Montreal was defenseman Marek Alscher of the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, who was taken in third round with the 93rd overall pick.
During his draft season, Alscher appeared in 61 regular season games with the Winterhawks, producing seven goals and 16 points, a plus-20 rating while racking up 48 PIM. Well regarded for his defensive play, Alscher helped the Winterhawks, who placed third in the Western Conference, finish with the fourth-best penalty kill percentage in the circuit.
Alscher suited up in all 11 of Portland’s postseason games (0 points, -5, 17 PIM) as the club was eliminated in seven games by the Seattle Thunderbirds, the eventual league champions, after they swept the Prince George Cougars in the opening round.
He also skated in eight international contests with Czechia’s U18 team, including four games at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Prior to coming to North America, the 6-foot-3, 196-pound Czech also played two seasons with the Pelicans U18 club in Finland, recording six goals and 18 points over 60 regular season games.
Alscher was rated 177th by NHL Central Scouting, #110 by EliteProspects and #106 by FCHOCKEY, so being selected in the third round indicates that Zito or a member of the scouting staff felt strongly about his potential, which is that of a reliable, punishing stay-at-home defender who can skate well.
Ian Moran of Neutral Zone had this to say about Alscher at the time:
We like that he can switch back and forth from the left or right side with ease. We feel he was most impactful as a penalty killer where his ability to hold the defensive blueline forced offsides and poor decisions. While shorthanded he used his reach to force bobbled pucks to continue moving along the wall which eventually lead to 200′ clears and timely changes. He also showed the athleticism to drop to a knee when blocking a shot without getting caught leaning or ending up off balance.
Alscher inked his entry-level deal with Florida on March 13, 2023, attended development camp in the summer and put in a short appearance at training camp before returning to Portland.
In his second season with the Winterhawks, he suited up in 60 regular season games and increased his offensive numbers slightly, finishing with eight goals and 24 points. He registered 114 shots on goal, notched two game-winners, led the team with 67 PIM and posted a minus-three rating.
Alscher appeared in all nine of Portland’s postseason games, producing four assists, as the Winterhawks bowed out in the second round again, getting the broom treatment from the Kamloops Blazers after they dispatched the Everett Silvertips in five games in the opening round.
After his season in Portland ended, Alscher signed an ATO with the Charlotte Checkers on April 24, 2023. With the Checkers in the midst of a second-round meeting with eventual Calder Cup champions, the Hershey Bears, the 19-year-old was limited to practicing with the AHL club.
Returning to Portland for 2023-24 campaign, Alscher enjoyed a fine third season in the WHL, establishing new career-highs in assists (19), points (26) and plus/minus (+32) while seeing duty in 57 regular games.
In the playoffs. the Winterhawks bounced Victoria, Everett and Prince George before getting swept in the league final by the Moose Jaw Warriors. Alscher scored twice and added three assists in the 18-game run.
During the mid-point of the season, Alscher saw duty in seven games for Czechia at the World Junior Championship in Sweden, helping his country capture a bronze medal.
Following another development camp and training camp, Alscher decided to turn pro and spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season with the Checkers.
As an AHL rookie, he appeared in 53 regular season games and produced two goals, eight assists and 36 PIM. His first professional point (an assist) came on October 18, in his second career game, and he notched his first goal on November 16, in Springfield. His first and only multi-point game occurred on November 29, in a 5-3 win over the Iowa Wild, when he scored the game-winner and drew an assist on a goal by Rasmus Asplund.
Charlotte head coach Geordie Kinnear showed a lot of confidence in the youngster, employing him in 17 of the club’s 18 postseason games. Alscher finished the playoffs with two assists and 6 PIM.
Alscher still has two years to go on his first contract, so there is plenty of time for him to continue progressing towards his goal of reaching the NHL.