Photo: RIKU LAUKKANEN/KUVA

We started our women’s rankings at the perfect time years ago. Poland had two prospects that can be described as generational for the country. The first was Wiktoria Sikorska, who reached one of the top leagues in women’s hockey with the SDHL. Sikorska and her achievements took the top spot every year I made the list. The list always felt like it was player 1A and 1B. There is no 1B this year, just Player #1. 

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.

1 – Julia Zielińska (D), 19, Kiekko-Espoo, (2, +1)

Zielińska has finally claimed the number-one spot in our rankings. Every nation struggles to produce great defenders, whether for men’s or women’s hockey. Poland having such a great defenseman is a significant boost for hockey in the country. It is, in my opinion, the most challenging position to develop. She didn’t start hockey until she was nine, but that didn’t stop her from breaking barriers. The amount of work that Zielińska herself has put in and the risk she has taken should be an inspiration to all Polish players. 

Her junior career has paid off, as she is the first woman from Poland to make an NCAA D1 hockey commitment. This past offseason, she made the historic commitment to Bemidji State University. American defender Clair DeGeorge, who plays in the PWHL, is an alumnus of the program. The experience of playing in the United States with and against so many talented players should boost Zielińska considerably. I hope she will eventually be able to play in the PWHL, which kicks off in 2024. She is committed to the Beavers for the 2024-2025 season. She is spending one more year in with Finland with Kiekko-Espoo for the 2024 season. 

The commitment comes after another strong season in Finland. She became a full-time player at the country’s top level of women’s hockey, the Naisten Liiga. In her 40 games this past season, she posted 17 points (4G-13A-17PTS). This placed her sixth among U20 defensemen in the league. Her offensive production and defensive play helped her team finish with a silver medal for the year. It was a rare time the young player didn’t win a championship with her senior squad. Zielińska has two championships in Finland and one in Slovakia.

One of the biggest things we have heard from coaches and teammates is her ability to soak up information and learn. Zielińska has been able to play with many solid veterans from her time in Poland to now in Finland. In Finland, she has often been paired with former Finnish Olympians Minnamari Tuominen and Tea Villilä. Her dedication to getting better will serve her well in North America! 

The Sanok native’s style of play will also work excellently across the pond. She has a fantastic two-way game that stems from her work in her own zone. Zielińska is a great passer and isn’t afraid to put the puck on the net. When watching her play with Poland, you see a player who is a step above the rest of the team and the competition. Her skating sticks out, as well as positioning defensively. The North American game will be a bit of an adjustment at first. By the end of her NCAA career, I have no doubt that she should be a leading defender for the Beavers.

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