František Černík was a right winger who played for 18 years in European leagues, mostly in Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic, but with brief forays to Germany and Austria, and one year in the National Hockey League (NHL). In Czechoslovakia he played for various teams – starting with VZKG Ostrava, but later playing with HC Dukla Jihlava and Vítkovice TJ, with whom he played from 1979-84. In 1984-85 he played 49 games with the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL. He had first been signed as a free agent by the Québec Nordiques in 1979, but never played for them, and Detroit signed him again as a free agent in 1983. After his NHL season, Černík returned to Europe and played one season with ESV Kaufbeuren in Germany, and then two seasons in Austria, one each with VEU Feldkirch and EC Graz, retiring after the 1987-88 season. Černík later became a hockey manager, being named general manager of Vítkovice in 2007.
Černík’s international playing career began at the 1977 European Junior Championships. In addition to his one Olympic appearance, he played for Czechoslovakia at the World Championships in 1976, 1978, 1981, 1982, and 1983, winning a gold medal in 1976, silver medals in 1978, 1982, and 1983, and a bronze medal in 1981. He was on two Canada Cup teams, helping Czechoslovakia to a runner-up finish in 1976 and also playing in 1981. Černík also played at the 1981 Spengler Cup with Vítkovice TJ.
Czechoslovakia
Czechia