We reviewed over 100 players and are now ranking them. The growth of women’s hockey in Poland has exploded, and in the end, we gave ten players grades that suggest they can play in a stronger league outside of Poland and make an impact. The depth is steadily improving, but still, there remains a more significant gap between the majority of the list and the top. The PLHK playing score totals have been removed from the PZHL’s site. All stats used are from Elite Prospects. We have also massively overhauled how we scored players for their rankings. This change will lead to quite a few drastic rating drops for players outside their U18 career. 

Players had to be under the age of 20 and at least 13 years old on September 12th, 2022. We are only judging play that occurred before that date as well. Players are evaluated based on a combination of career history, current play, and potential. Skaters must have played at least five games to be considered. While most of the ranking is my opinion, numerous Polish hockey people contributed their thoughts on players. 113 players were considered for the list and reviewed. Fifty players received a ranking.

Rank – Player Name (Position), Age During Next Hockey Season, Team (Ranking in 2021, change in rankings)

50 – Aleksandra Jachym (D), 18,  Polonia Bytom (42, -8) 

We begin our list with the young stay-at-home defender from Polonia Bytom, Aleksandra Jachym. In nine games this season, she posted one assist. In her final U18 season, Jachym has yet to carve out a more steady and permanent role in the lineup of the defending champions. 

49 – Katarzyna Radomska (G), 19, UKH Biale Jastrzebie (32, -17)

Radomska started ten games for a rough Jastzebie team. When matched up with more even opponents, Radomska held her own. But most of the time, she was under siege in net. A move to Tychy for this year will hopefully be a better year and allow her to continue growing.  

48 – Magdalena Głąbica (D), 19, UKH Biale Jastrzebie (NR) 

Głąbica continues to serve a substantial role on the Jastrzebie defense. She recorded one goal and one assist in 16 games this past season and the first points of her PLHK career. She doesn’t project to be a top defenseman but should continue to be a steady presence on lower lines. 

47 – Alicja Gacek (D), 15, Podhale Nowy Targ (NR)

Gacek breaks into the rankings after her second season in the PLHK at 14 years old. She recorded 1 goal and 1 assist in 17 games for Podhale Nowy Targ, and that one goal tied her for fourth among scoring for U16 defensemen. 

46 – Magdalena Olszewska (F), 17, Cracovia Krakow (NR)

Olszewska had a solid year for Cracovia. After a two-point performance in 2021, she recorded 12 points (5G-7A-12PTS) in 16 games. On a Cracovia team desperate for offense, this led the team in points. She is the key to their offense, and that ice time should bold well for her development. 

45 – Julia Nawart (D), 18, Naprzod Janow (38, -7)

Nawart continues to work her way up the Janow lineup and put up a new career high in points with three assists in 12 games. I had her on the shortlist of defensemen for the Polish U18 squad, but I was not shocked she was not on the team. 

44 – Julia Zyguła (D), 16, Naprzod Janow, (NR) 

Zyguła had her senior debut season for 2022 and did well playing about half the year. The 15-year-old recorded two points (1G-1A-2PTS) in nine games. You should keep an eye on her for future U18 squads. 

43 – Amelia Firek (D), 16, KS Cracovia 1906, (NR) 

Firek continues to move up the PHLK ladder. After spending the previous year mainly with Podhale, she carved out a role with Cracovia this season. In 11 games, she recorded two goals. For the 2023 season, she is moving over to the reigning champions Polonia Bytom. 

42 – Nikola Wencel (D), 16, Naprzod Janow (NR)

Wencel got her first taste of senior hockey last year and followed that up with another solid season. She would post two goals and two assists in 15 games for Janow, and her two goals were tied for fifth among U18 defenders. 

41 – Milena Piasecka (D), 15, PTH Kozice Poznan, (NR) 

Piasecka will be one to watch going forward; she has shown great potential in her young career. In her PLHK season, she recorded one assist in ten games as a 14-year-old. She is moving over to Polonia Bytom, which should continue to massively boost her development in a vital area of need for Poland. 

40 – Lena Kabelis-Szostakowska (F), 14, Naprzod Janow, (NR) 

As a thirteen-year-old, Kabelis-Szostakowska scored four goals in 14 games for Janow. Playing almost an entire season at her age is rare; seeing someone score during it is even more impressive—one to watch for sure in the next few years. 

39 – Paulina Schnabel (G), 16, Naprzod Janow, (NR) 

Schanabel continues to play more and more games in net for Janow. She had some solid games this year, and the future looks potentially bright for her. I expect her to start getting some U18 reps, but she may be behind fellow U18 Janow goalie Alicja Kobiela.

38 – Emilia Nosal (D), 16, Podhale Nowy Targ, (NR) 

Nosal got her first taste of PLHK action this year, and she played in 13 games with Podhale and recorded one assist during the playoffs. She also made the Polish U18 squad for the September 2022 tournament, and I would expect her to make the 2023 team.

37 – Sandra Piotrowska (F), 16, Unia Oswiecim, (46, +9) 

After two pointless PLHK seasons, Piotrowska stepped up big this year for Oswiecim. In 20 games, she recorded two goals and six assists. The Oswiecim forward’s point total put her top ten on the team in regular season scoring. In the next two years, she will be one to watch for the U18 squad.

36 – Aleksandra Langner (D), 17, Unia Oswiecim, (43, +7)

Langner showed more of her offensive side in the 2022 season. After going pointless in her previous PLHK contests, she posted seven points in 22 games. A big part of her offense came in the post-season with one goal and three assists in six games. 

35 – Katarzyna Secemska (D), 18, Polonia Bytom, (34, -1)

Secemska moved from Janow to the Polish women’s hockey powerhouse, Polonia Bytom. She saw a slight offensive decline in the lineup spot drop but still posted eight points in 19 games, scoring one goal and assisting on three during three playoff games. She was on the initial U18 squad last season but did not play with the team in September. 

34 – Laura Bulas (D), 17, Naprzod Janow, (NR) 

Bulas has earned a more prominent role on Janow and primarily served on the top defensive pairing. She played in 13 games and recorded five assists. This year was a new career high in points for the young defensemen. 

33 – Alicja Kopciara (F), 20, Unia Oswiecim (29, -4)

Kopciara has become a key offensive piece for Unia Oswiecim, and her best year to date with 20 points in 19 games. This included 15 goals and five assists, and her 15 goals were 21st among all skaters in the PHLK. Kopciara looks to be a strong top-six forward for Oswiecim now and in the future. 

32 – Lena Hachuła (F), 16, Naprzod Janow, (NR) 

After showing limited offense in her few PLHK seasons, Hachuła exploded this year with four goals and four assists in just 13 games. Her .62 point per game average led all U18 players on Janow. 

31 – Jadwiga Jankowska (F), 15, Naprzod Janow, (NR) 

Jankowska doubled her production this past season with seven points (2G-5A-7PTS) in 16 games. The 15-year-old also made her IIHF debut as she represented Poland at the Division 1 Group B U18s. Given her young age, she is probably in the same area as many young forwards who made the September team in that they will be staples of the team for the next few seasons. 

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