We have now reached the top five of the list. When making the list, I had about three tiers of players divided by what I believe the player was most likely capable of. The top five are their own tier of players that I would label as the definitive players that are the future of Polish hockey. These five players have the potential to elevate Polish hockey to a new level. They’re all more than capable of being top players in Poland, or key players outside the country. Poland reaching the elite division and staying there relies a lot on these players reaching their full potential.

Rank – Player Name (Position), Age During Next Hockey Season, Team (Ranking in 2019, change in rankings

4 – Dominik Paś (F), 21, JKH GKS Jastrzebie, (4, 0)

Paś is the most complete young forward in Polish hockey. He has a great two-way game that makes him the most crucial player going forward for Poland. Last season, he finally had his true offensive breakout year, despite him only be 20-years-old. His year was so impressive he has started to generate some interest outside Poland.

This year for JKH GKS Jastrzebie, Paś posted 39 points (17-22-39) in 52 games. This set new career highs in games played, goals, assists, and points. It was 25th overall in the PHL and sixth on Jastrzebie. The 5’10 forward was also very impressive at the Visegrad Cup, where he posted five points (3-2-5) in nine games. Eleven of his points did come against Janow or PZHL U23, which is just above the league average for his production. That would leave him with 28 points though against quality competition, which is nothing to scoff at. It also would still be a career-high.

Since 1999-2000, his year was tied for sixth-most points by a U20 player, his points per game ranking 14th. That is quite the impressive season by him, giving the amount of young talent, especially recently, to put up substantial numbers in the PHL. It is the 26th best year in points by a U23 player overall. Given the strength of the PHL this year, his season is definitely something that should be putting him on the radar for teams in stronger leagues all over Europe.

His season comes with just three points per game comparables that performed the same, age-wise. This list includes Grzegorz Pasiut, Teddy Da Costa, and Tobiasz Bernat. Obviously, Pursuit and Da Costa went on to have great careers in Poland and outside the PHL. Pasiut, before his national team retirement, was one of the top forwards for team Poland, while Da Costa is a valuable part of the French national team. Bernat, the outlier of the two, was a solid player in the PHL, but nothing special.

The Jastrzebie native also made his senior IIHF-debut for team Poland at the Olympic qualifiers. He was the second-youngest player on team Poland, after Pawel Zygmunt. He would put up a goal and assist versus the Netherlands on day one of the tournament. He would play just above 13 minutes in the final game against Kazakhstan, being entrusted in must-win situations by Tomek Valtonen. He also finished fourth on the team in shots.

Moving out from the statistics, Paś is an excellent leader and has a great two-way game. Staff and teammates that I have talked to praise those abilities of his. He is a brilliant player, and that is at both ends of the ice. He could be stronger in the faceoff circle, but that is a very minor critique.  I think Paś is a lock to be at least a middle-six forward for Poland in the future. His floor is higher than most, while his ceiling is incredibly high.

It was reported earlier this offseason that Paś was considering an offer to play in the top league of France. While the league may be a minor step up on Poland overall in my opinion, it is generally held in a higher regard. It seems that as of right now, Paś will be staying in Poland. While I may too often suggest that players should leave Poland, I think he is in an excellent place in Jastrzebie this year.

He will be under the guidance of national team head coach Robert Kalaber for another year, with a chance to increase his role again in the team. The national team will be an excellent stage for Paś to show off his game while getting another year of top-line experience under his belt. Paś should definitely leave Poland for a stronger league eventually before he gets too old. There is nothing wrong with staying in Poland this year. Rub shoulders with Marek Hovorka, and get that national team spotlight. Paś is the glue for Poland’s top lines that will help evaluate them to another level.

Player 3

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