Erik Cernak’s Family: Girlfriend, Children, Parents, and Siblings

Last Updated on November 11, 2026 by Bernald Sanders

Erik Cernak, whose name is written Erik Černák in Slovak, is a professional ice hockey defenseman from Slovakia who plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on May 28, 1997, in Košice, Slovakia, Cernak is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and an important member of Tampa Bay’s defense.

Beyond his professional hockey achievements, Cernak comes from a supportive Slovak family. His parents are Peter Cernak and Iveta Cernakova, and he has two older siblings, including a sister named Simona and a brother whose name has not been reliably established in public reporting.

Cernak is also in a long-term relationship with an American woman named Carly. The couple became engaged in 2025, although their marital status following their reported 2026 wedding plans has not been independently confirmed.

Here is a closer look at Erik Cernak’s girlfriend, children, parents, siblings, and family background.

Erik Cernak’s Girlfriend: Who Is Carly?

Erik Cernak’s longtime romantic partner is Carly, an American woman who has appeared in official Tampa Bay Lightning coverage and Slovak sports publications.

Some media reports identify her as Carly Ciccati. However, Cernak has generally kept details about her professional background and personal life outside public interviews.

In March 2024, the NHL published an article about Cernak’s return to Košice for a documentary produced by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The documentary introduced fans to the Slovak defenseman’s family, hometown, and childhood experiences.

It also featured Carly, who had traveled to Slovakia and spent time with Cernak’s relatives.

During her visit, she experienced traditional Slovak food, including bryndzové halušky, a dish made with potato dumplings and sheep’s cheese, and segedínsky guláš.

Cernak has also introduced Carly to the High Tatras, one of Slovakia’s best-known mountain regions.

The couple has maintained their relationship while dividing their time between the United States and Slovakia.

When Did Erik Cernak and Carly Get Engaged?

Erik Cernak and Carly reportedly became engaged in 2025.

According to a February 16, 2026, article published by Slovak news website Dobré noviny, Cernak proposed after several years of dating.

The engagement was celebrated in photographs shared by Gipe Photography, which congratulated the couple on their relationship milestone.

The announcement attracted attention from Slovak hockey fans, particularly because Cernak has traditionally kept his romantic life relatively private.

In August 2026, Slovak newspaper Pravda reported that Cernak was unable to attend a hockey awards ceremony in Košice because he and his fiancée were preparing for their wedding.

In a video message, he explained that the couple had made wedding arrangements and had already been away from Slovakia for several weeks.

However, the publicly available reporting reviewed does not independently establish the exact wedding date or confirm whether the ceremony subsequently took place.

Is Erik Cernak Married?

Erik Cernak’s engagement to Carly is publicly documented, and he discussed wedding preparations in 2026.

However, no independently verified wedding announcement was found in the reliable sources reviewed for this profile.

Therefore, Carly can be confidently identified as his longtime partner and reported fiancée, but it would be premature to present a specific marriage date as confirmed.

Does Erik Cernak Have Children?

There are no reliable public reports confirming that Erik Cernak has children of his own.

The Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman has not publicly identified any sons or daughters through official NHL interviews or established Slovak sports publications.

However, he is a proud uncle and has spoken about his close relationship with his sister’s daughter, Arya.

Erik Cernak’s Niece: Arya

Arya is the daughter of Erik Cernak’s older sister, Simona.

Her relationship to the hockey player was confirmed in an official NHL article published on March 18, 2024.

During the Tampa Bay Lightning’s documentary about Cernak’s hometown, his family discussed how much he enjoys spending time with his young niece.

Although the documentary provided a glimpse into his relationship with Arya, she is his niece, not his daughter.

There is no reliable public confirmation that Cernak has become a father himself.

Erik Cernak’s Parents

Erik Cernak was born to Peter Cernak and Iveta Cernakova in Košice, Slovakia.

Both parents played important roles in his childhood and supported his ambition to become a professional hockey player.

His father worked in property development and real estate, while his mother helped introduce him to sports and accompanied him to early hockey practices.

Throughout his career, Cernak has repeatedly acknowledged the sacrifices his parents made to help him succeed.

Erik Cernak’s Father: Peter Cernak

Peter Cernak is Erik Cernak’s father and a Slovak businessman.

His identity was confirmed in a 2015 interview published by Hospodárske noviny, which discussed Erik’s selection by the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL Entry Draft.

Peter explained that he worked in property development and the real estate industry.

His business activities provided the family with the flexibility to support Erik as he began pursuing professional hockey opportunities in North America.

After the Kings selected Erik in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft, Peter and his wife discussed temporarily relocating to California to help their son adjust to life abroad.

At the time, Erik was only 18 years old and preparing to begin his professional journey away from Slovakia.

Peter explained that the family wanted to provide a stable environment so Erik could concentrate on hockey.

His comments demonstrated the importance of family support during a challenging transition.

In September 2020, Peter also spoke to Slovak sports journalists during Tampa Bay’s Stanley Cup playoff run.

He explained that he regularly stayed awake to watch Erik’s NHL games despite the time difference between Slovakia and North America.

After games, he often discussed his son’s performance with him.

Peter’s continued interest and encouragement have remained important throughout Cernak’s professional career.

Erik Cernak’s Mother: Iveta Cernakova

Iveta Cernakova, also known as Iveta Černáková, is Erik Cernak’s mother.

She played a particularly important role in introducing him to ice hockey.

In March 2024, Iveta appeared in the Tampa Bay Lightning documentary Bolts Beginnings: Erik Cernak.

During the documentary, she explained that she had participated in sports during her younger years and wanted Erik to enjoy an athletic activity.

Initially, the young Cernak was interested in motorcycle racing.

However, Iveta was concerned about the expense and safety risks associated with the sport.

She encouraged him to choose a different activity, and Erik eventually selected ice hockey.

He quickly developed a passion for skating and training.

Iveta recalled that her son was so enthusiastic about hockey that he sometimes woke her up around three in the morning to make sure they would not be late for practice.

Although training sessions usually began around five or six in the morning, Erik wanted to arrive as early as possible.

His mother’s involvement helped him develop the discipline and enthusiasm that became defining characteristics of his career.

Iveta has continued following his performances in the NHL and supporting him from Slovakia.

Erik Cernak’s Siblings: Brother and Sister

Erik Cernak has two publicly confirmed siblings: an older sister named Simona and an older brother whose name has not been reliably established in available authoritative reporting.

In the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2024 documentary, Cernak thanked his parents, brother, and sister for their support throughout his hockey journey.

Simona Cernak: Erik Cernak’s Older Sister

Simona is Erik Cernak’s older sister.

She was featured alongside their mother, Iveta, in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s documentary about Erik’s childhood and family.

During the documentary, Simona recalled her brother’s determination and enthusiasm for hockey.

She explained that Erik always wanted to be first during training activities and worked hard to improve his abilities.

Simona has also accompanied her brother to public events and award ceremonies in Slovakia.

In 2019, Slovak sports publication Sportnet reported that Cernak attended an awards ceremony with his sister and was pleased that they could share the occasion.

Simona is also the mother of Arya, Erik’s niece.

According to the NHL’s March 2024 coverage, Cernak enjoys spending time with Arya whenever he returns to his hometown.

Although Simona has participated in public family features, reliable information about her occupation and other private details remains limited.

Erik Cernak’s Older Brother

Erik Cernak also has an older brother.

His existence is confirmed by Cernak’s own comments in the 2024 documentary produced by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

During the film, the Slovak defenseman acknowledged the support he received from his parents and both siblings.

However, the documentary and major hockey publications reviewed do not reliably identify his brother by name.

Information about his brother’s occupation, education, and personal relationships has not been independently established.

Therefore, his brother’s identity should not be presented as confirmed without additional reliable evidence.

Erik Cernak’s Grandparents and Extended Family

Erik Cernak also maintained close relationships with his grandparents during childhood.

In the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2024 documentary, he became emotional while recalling the time he spent with them in Košice.

He explained that his grandparents lived near his school, allowing him to visit frequently.

His grandfather remained particularly interested in his hockey career and followed his performances after Erik moved to North America.

According to Cernak’s mother, Iveta, the grandfather sometimes stayed awake late at night to watch NHL games despite the time difference.

He also lived to see his grandson bring the Stanley Cup to Slovakia.

However, Erik’s grandmother had died before she could witness his NHL achievements.

These family memories demonstrate the close relationships that shaped his childhood.

Christián Jaroš: Erik Cernak’s Cousin

Erik Cernak is also related to Slovak professional ice hockey defenseman Christián Jaroš.

The two players are cousins and grew up playing hockey in Košice.

Jaroš, born on April 2, 1996, is approximately one year older than Cernak.

Both developed their skills through Slovak youth hockey programs and eventually reached the NHL.

Jaroš previously played for the Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, and New Jersey Devils.

During a 2019 interview with Šport.sk, Cernak confirmed that he maintained contact with his cousin despite their demanding professional schedules.

He also expressed interest in the possibility of playing alongside Jaroš for the Slovak national team.

Their shared hockey background reflects the broader sporting connections within the Cernak family.

Erik Cernak’s Family Background and Childhood

Erik Cernak was born on May 28, 1997, in Košice, Slovakia.

He grew up in the eastern Slovak city, where hockey is an important part of the local sporting culture.

With encouragement from his mother, Cernak began playing hockey at a young age.

He joined the youth development system of HC Košice and progressed through the club’s junior teams.

His determination and physical abilities helped him compete against older players while he was still a teenager.

At the age of 16, Cernak was already gaining experience in Slovakia’s highest professional hockey league.

He helped HC Košice win consecutive Slovak championships in 2014 and 2015.

In 2015, he also represented Slovakia at the IIHF World Junior Championship, helping the country win a bronze medal.

Later that year, the Los Angeles Kings selected him in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft, 43rd overall.

He subsequently moved to North America and played junior hockey with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League.

In 2017, Cernak was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning organization.

He made his NHL debut on November 13, 2018, against the Buffalo Sabres.

Cernak gradually developed into an important defensive player for Tampa Bay, becoming known for physical play, blocked shots, and penalty-killing responsibilities.

He helped the Lightning win consecutive Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021.

In July 2022, Tampa Bay signed him to an eight-year contract extension worth $41.6 million, beginning with the 2023–24 season.

Despite spending much of the year in Florida, Cernak continues to return to Košice and spend time with his relatives during the NHL offseason.

Frequently Asked Questions About Erik Cernak’s Family

Who is Erik Cernak’s girlfriend?

Erik Cernak’s longtime partner is an American woman named Carly. The couple reportedly became engaged in 2025 after several years together.

Is Erik Cernak married?

Erik Cernak and Carly were preparing for their wedding in 2026, according to Slovak media reports. However, the exact wedding date and completion of the ceremony have not been independently confirmed.

Does Erik Cernak have children?

There are no reliably verified public reports confirming that Erik Cernak has children of his own.

Who are Erik Cernak’s parents?

His parents are Peter Cernak and Iveta Cernakova. Both supported his hockey development during childhood and his transition to North America.

Who is Erik Cernak’s father?

Peter Cernak is Erik’s father. He is a Slovak businessman who has worked in real estate and property development.

Who is Erik Cernak’s mother?

Iveta Cernakova is Erik’s mother. She introduced him to sports and played an important role in his early hockey development.

Does Erik Cernak have siblings?

Yes. Erik Cernak has an older sister named Simona and an older brother whose name has not been reliably documented in public sources.

Who is Erik Cernak’s sister?

His older sister is Simona. She appeared in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2024 documentary about his childhood and is the mother of his niece Arya.

Who is Erik Cernak’s niece?

Arya is Erik Cernak’s niece and the daughter of his older sister, Simona.

Is Erik Cernak related to Christián Jaroš?

Yes. Erik Cernak and fellow Slovak professional hockey player Christián Jaroš are cousins.

Where is Erik Cernak’s family from?

The Cernak family is from Košice, Slovakia, where Erik grew up and began playing hockey.