We have reached the top 20. This part of the ranking features more senior players who have already significantly impacted the TLHK, EWHL, or national team. We also start to see the best young players that Poland has to offer. These skaters are expected to be the leaders for Poland in January at the Division 1 Group B U18 World Championship.

Players had to be under the age of 20 and at least 13 years old on June 1st, 2023. 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 three games to be considered. While most of the ranking is my opinion, numerous Polish hockey people contributed their thoughts on players. 103 players were considered for the list and reviewed. Fifty players received a ranking.

Players 50-21

Rank – Player Name (Position), Age During Next Hockey Season, Team (Ranking in 2022, change in rankings) 

20 – Julia Bujak (G), 20, Polonia Bytom, (27, +7)

Bujak was able to play a lot more this year for Bytom and impressed in those starts. She led all goalies in the TLHK regular season with an outstanding .957 save percentage mark. Bujak also stopped all the shots she faced in her lone playoff appearance. I hoped she would spend some time with Poland’s EWHL squad, but that didn’t materialize. The crease for the Polish national team is crowded with a lot of talent behind a clear starter. 

19 – Alicja Kobus (F), 19, Stoczniowiec Gdansk, (16, -3)

After a long time with Poznan and her U18 career finished up, Kobus made the move to Gdansk. She made a strong impact in the new environment with 20 points (10G-10A-20PTS) in 16 games. Her 20 points tied her for 17th place in the league and good for sixth place among U20 skaters. She is a great offensive player, and I am shocked she hasn’t received any chances in the EWHL to show off her abilities. For 2024, she is returning to Poznan. She should be one of the leading figures for the club. 

18 – Weronika Huchel (F), 16, Atomowki Tychy, (30, +12)

Huchel will be one of Poland’s most pivotal forwards at the U18s in 2024. She has all the skills to be a dynamic player in Poland and potentially abroad. She made her second appearance with the U18 squad this year, scoring her first IIHF junior goal in Poland’s win over South Korea. The national team also sees her potential, as she was able to get in four EWHL games this year. There is a bright future for the Tychy product that has moved to Janow for the 2024 season.

17 – Milena Piasecka (D), 16, Polonia Bytom, (41, +24)

One of the biggest risers on this year’s list. Piasecka is quickly rising up the defensive ranks for Poland. The young defender from Wroclaw put together a solid year that saw her post a point-per-game average in the regular season with eight points (3G-5A-8PTS) in eight games. She also made her first appearance for Poland U18, finishing with a plus-3 rating. Piasecka has a lot of talent, and if her growth continues, she should be the leading defenseman for Poland U18 in 2024. 

16 – Jadwiga Jankowska (F), 17, Naprzod Janow, (31, +15)

Jankowska suited up for her fourth TLHK season, and it was the best yet. The skilled young forward finished with a point-per-game average after recording 13 points (4G-9A-13PTS) across 13 games in the regular season and playoffs. She excels in creating chances in the offensive zone but also has her own solid shot. This was displayed at the U18s, where she scored once and assisted on another. She will be a crucial player for the squad in 2024 as they lose several veteran forwards. Jankowska is the perfect player to step into a top-line role for the team. 

15 – Julia Łapińska (F), 18, Stoczniowiec Gdansk, (6, -9)

After rising into the top six the previous year, Łapińska falls to 15th. She played everywhere in 2022 but played sparingly in 2023. Her season was limited to six TLHK games, but she still made an impact with three goals and four assists. She is committed to return to Gdansk and Poland’s EWHL team for 2024. 

14 – Anna Kot (D), 19, Unia Oswiecim, (12, -2)

A year removed from her final U18 season, Kot continued to make strides. The 5’9 defender got some senior national team consideration and was a part of Silesian Metropolis for the entire season. There, she played in 16 games, picking up a single assist. Her club season is a story of two halves; when the Oswiecim offense struggled during the regular season, she posted three points (2G-1A-3PTS) in eight games. She scored five goals during the playoffs while assisting on three in seven games. Kot is a talented two-way defender with a powerful shot. She seems to be in a solid position to make the senior national team in the coming years. 

13 – Lena Zięba (F), 17, Polonia Bytom, (7, -6)

Zięba did have a strong year both in Poland and representing them internationally. Her fall is more about the amount of young talent that made massive jumps. She recorded 15 points (8G-7A-15PTS) in 11 regular season games but only scored once in four playoff appearances. Zięba got the call to the Polish U18 squad for the second time and scored her first IIHF goal. She did a good job both creating and taking chances. The 17-year-old should be an impact player for the 2024 team. The Piekary Slaskie native also got in two matches with Silesian Metropolis, picking up an assist. 

12 – Julia Skręt (F), 18, Södertälje SK, (11, -1)

Skręt also moves back a single spot due to the rise of young players. In her final U18 season, Skręt returned to Sweden. Playing in both the Division 1 and HockeyAllsvenskan. In Division 1, she scored twice, which slightly raised her point per game average to .13. In her ten HockeyAllsvenskan matches, she went pointless. The former Sosnowiec youth player also received her second call-up to the Polish U18 squad. She did well in both ends of the zone and had some bad puck luck going pointless on 15 shots. For 2024, she will remain with Södertälje SK for a third season. 

11 – Aleksandra Górska (F), 19, Atomowki Tychy, (20, +9)

After making her first IIHF junior squad for Poland in 2022, Górska made her first senior IIHF squad in 2023. This came after the forward had a great year with Tyhcy. She was third among U20 skaters with 26 points (18G-8A-26PTS). Her 18 goals tied her for third among all skaters in the league. The strong TLHK performance saw her get a call-up to the EWHL, playing her first two games with Silesian Metropolis. Górska is staying with her home club for the 2024 season and should get a lot more run in the EWHL. 

Next Part: Players 10-6

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