Some surprising news in Poland this morning as the PZHL has named a new head coach for the Women’s senior team. Canadian Joe Butkevich is now the new leader of Poland’s top squad. The women’s national team is only a week away from a non-IIHF tournament in Denmark. That event will be the debut for Butkevich as they take on Denmark, Great Britain, and Italy from February 8th through February 10th.

The 42-year-old coach has Polish heritage and is no stranger to international hockey. He worked with the Chinese national team and served as an assistant coach with their U18 squad. This included the 2020 event when the Chinese U18 team took bronze at the Division 1 Group B U18 Championship in Poland. Most of his coaching career has been in Canada. He has served as the head coach of the Etobicoke Jr Dolphins Hockey program. During his time there over 50 players have made an NCAA or CIS commitment. He has also worked with the Team Ontario Blue and Red U18 squads. This year, he coached Team Ontario Red to a National U18 Championship.

His experience in developing junior teams should be a huge aid to the national team that has so many young players already on the senior squad. He could really be the key to helping so many Poles reach that next step. On a side note, he is married to former CWHL player and Canadian Olympian Cherie Piper. Piper currently serves as the director of women’s scouting for Hockey Canada.

Butkevich takes over for Zbigniew Wróbel. Wróbel has led team Poland and Silesian Metropolis since 2022. It is currently unclear why the coaching change was made mid-season. Silesian Metropolis currently sits second in the EWHL standings. Poland will look for gold and promotion at this year’s Division 1 Group B World Championship. The event will take place from March 31st to April 6th, with Poland facing off versus Great Britain, Latvia, Italy, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

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