Quick Facts
Biography
Tomer Chencinski (Hebrew: תומר חנצ'ינסקי; born December 1, 1984) is an Israeli-Canadian soccer player who currently plays for Shamrock Rovers in the League of Ireland Premier Division.
Personal life
Chencinski was born in Bat Yam/Tel Aviv, Israel, and lived in Israel until he was eight years old. He and his family then moved to Thornhill, Ontario, where he grew up. He speaks both English and Hebrew fluently.
He played in the 2005 Maccabiah Games, the "Jewish Olympics", in Israel for the Canadian team.
He is eligible to play for the national teams of both Canada and Israel, as well as Poland.
In 2013 he was one of the coaches of Maccabi Canada's youth soccer team.
Career
College
Chencinski attended Westmount Collegiate Institute, and played two years of college soccer at Robert Morris University, where in 2004 he ranked 16th in the nation in saves per game and recorded six shutouts. He transferred to Fairleigh Dickinson University as a junior, where he played his final two collegiate seasons.
United States and Canada
Chencinski turned professional in 2007 when he signed with Major League Soccer side Toronto FC after impressing during a tryout, but never made an appearance for the team, and left to play indoor soccer for Major Indoor Soccer League side Detroit Ignition.
He dropped down a division to play in the USL Premier Development League for expansion side Newark Ironbound Express in 2008, but left mid-season when he was offered a contract by Moldova National Division side Nistru Otaci.
After playing just three games for Nistru Otaci, he returned to the United States, and signed for the Harrisburg City Islanders in 2009.
After completing his season with the Harrisburg City Islanders, Chencinski spent time training with Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union.
Finland
Expecting to start another season with Harrisburg, Chencinski was given the chance of a week-long trial with Finnish side VPS. After a successful trial, he was signed by the Finnish club to provide competition for the goalkeeper position.
He made his debut for VPS on February 5, 2011 in a 2–2 draw with FF Jaro in the Finnish League Cup.
Sweden
On December 5, 2011, he was confirmed for the Swedish Allsvenskan side Örebro SK for the 2012 season.
Israel
In late December 2012 Chencinski was transferred from Örebro to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Premier League, for an undisclosed transfer fee.
Return to Finland
In January 2015, Chencinski left Israel and joined RoPS of Finland. RoPS would eventually finish in 2nd place during the 2015 Veikkausliiga, one point behind league winners SJK. Their finish earned the club entry into the first round of qualification for the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League.
Return to Sweden
After his successful season in Finland, Chencinski joined Swedish club Helsingborg on December 8, 2015.
Move to Ireland
Chencinski joined Irish club Shamrock Rovers on December 15, 2016.
International career
On March 14, 2013, Chencinski received his first call up by the Canadian national team for friendlies against Japan and Belarus. Chencinski made his debut for the national team on March 25 starting the game against Belarus after Milan Borjan was benched following the loss to Japan, the game ended in a 2–0 defeat to the European nation.
Honours
- Maccabi Tel Aviv
- Israeli Premier League (2): 2012–13, 2013-2014