"Bierk essentially lost a year of development by being recalled to the NHL when the injury bug hit Tampa's goaltending last season. But he is playing regularly and well for Cleveland and had a huge confidence boost by being selected for the IHL All-Star Game. The one thing we don't want to do with Zac is rush him," [Lightning player development director Don] Murdoch said. "But until we have a legitimate No. 1 goalie, I wouldn't want to count anyone out."" (Tim Buckley, The Hockey News Future Watch 1999)

"Once considered Tampa Bay's goalie of the future, Bierk has Daren Puppa-like size. Covers a lot of net and is very quick. An untouchable, the Lightning don't want to rush him. Already has some NHL experience and was selected to the IHL all-star game in 1998-99." (The Sports Forecaster 1999-2000, p. 141)

"The goaltending prospect has had a strange pro career. He didn't play net until he was 14, yet was in the NHL two years ago, appearing in 13 games. Then he developed a bizarre inner-ear problem that has kept him out of the lineup for the better part of 18 months. At times this season he has been brilliant. At other time he looks like a kid who has played goal only seven years. Cloutier is considered the goalie of the future, but Bierk may have shown enough to at least serve as backup next season. The downside to that would be he still needs to play more; his ear problems have handcuffed him a bit." (Tom Jones, The Hockey News Future Watch 2000)

"Dubbed the Tampa Bay Lightning's goaltender of the future in the late-90s, Bierk was not able to take the final step to the NHL, despite a gaping hole in the Bolts' crease...still is young enough to enjoy a solid future in the NHL. However, he'll need to make a push for playing time soon, since both Fernandez and McLennan could be in St. Paul for some time to come." (The Sports Forecaster Online 2000-01)

"Some observers feel Bierk is a year or two away from some duty in the NHL. Showed some promise in 13 appearances last season. Unfortunately has an inner ear problem that may be incurable. (The Sports Forecaster 2000-01, p. 182)

"Starting to regain confidence after battling inner ear problem. A real gamer. (Tom Jones, The Hockey News Future Watch 2001)

"Bierk has battled injuries throughout his career. Has lost his luster as a prospect. (The Sports Forecaster 2001-02, p. 223)

• Selected by Tampa Bay Lightning in ninth round (eighth Lightning pick, 212th overall) of National Hockey League entry draft, July 8, 1995.
• Selected by Minnesota Wild in National Hockey League Expansion Draft, June 23, 2000.
• Signed as free agent with Phoenix Coyotes, August 30, 2001.
• Resigned to one-year contract with Coyotes, July 28, 2003.
• Re-signed to one-year contract with Coyotes, September 2, 2004.

• Named to Canadian Hockey League All-Star Second Team, 1996-97.
• Winner, Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy, 1996-97.
• Named to OHL All-Star First Team, 1996-97.
• Named International Hockey League Goaltender of the Month, November 2000.
• Named International Hockey League Goaltender of the Week, November 26, 2000.
• Named East Coast Hockey League Goaltender of the Month, March 2002.

• Injured neck; missed final two games of season, April 6, 2000.
• Underwent hip surgery; will miss approximately six weeks, September 22, 2001.
• Injured groin; missed seventeen games, February 14, 2003.
• Groin injury; missed final sixteen games of season, March 5, 2004.
• Strained hip flexor; missed fifty games, November 12, 2004.

• Zac's older brother, Sebastien Bach, is the lead singer of the rock/metal group Skid Row.