Zac Bierk

Zac Bierk
Born (1976-09-17) September 17, 1976
Peterborough, ON, CAN
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 186 lb (84 kg; 13 st 4 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Left
Played for Tampa Bay Lightning
Minnesota Wild
Phoenix Coyotes
NHL Draft 212th overall, 1995
Tampa Bay Lightning
Playing career 1997–2004

Zachary Bierk (born September 17, 1976 in Peterborough, Ontario) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played in 47 NHL games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Minnesota Wild, and Phoenix Coyotes.

Junior career

Bierk spent 4 years with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League from 1993/94 to 1996/97. In the 1995/96 season, Bierk led the Petes to the Memorial Cup final, where they were defeated by the Granby Prédateurs 4–0 in the final. The following season, Bierk won the OHL goaltender of the year award, the Leo Lalonde trophy as the best over-age player in the league and was named to the OHL All-Star First Team and Canadian Hockey League All-Star Second Team.[1]

Pro career

Bierk was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft as their ninth-round pick, #212 overall, from the Peterborough Petes. His first victory came on March 30, 1998 in only his second career start, a 3–1 win in New York against the Rangers.[1]

On January 8, 2003, Bierk was a part of hockey history while playing for the Phoenix Coyotes , when he and Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Michael Leighton both earned their first NHL shutouts in a 0–0 tie. It was the first time in league history that two goalies had both earned their first career shutouts in the same game.[2]

His final NHL appearance came on November 9, 2003 in a 2–1 overtime loss to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.[1]

Bierk finished his career with 47 game appearances, a 9–20–5 record, a 3.18 gaa and a 0.901 save percentage with 1 shutout. Bierk also had 1 assist and 6 penalty minutes.[1]

Post-playing career

Bierk now works as the goaltending coach for the Oshawa Generals of Ontario Hockey League. Ironically, the team Bierk played for in during his time in junior - the Petes - are considered to be one of the Generals fiercest rivals, dating back to the mid 1970s.

Bierk family

He is the brother of former Skid Row lead singer Sebastian Bach, Canadian actress Dylan Bierk and Toronto-based artists Jeff, Alex, Nick and Charles Bierk. Bierk is the son of the late David Bierk, an artist whose paintings are still displayed at the Nancy Hoffman Gallery in New York City.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Zac Bierk (1997-present)". Hockeygoalies.org. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  2. ↑ Hockey’s Book of Firsts, p. 19, James Duplacey, JG Press, ISBN 978-1-57215-037-9
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