Defense is one of the biggest areas of concern for the Polish national team. With our top five, we see three defensemen that all appear ready to contribute to the squad, along with a former prized prospect who got lost in the shuffle.

Players had to be under the age of 23 and at least 16 years old on June 1st, 2024. 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 the ranking is only my opinion, numerous coaches, staff, and players contributed their thoughts on players. 175 players were considered for the list and reviewed. Eighty players received a ranking.

5 – Bartosz Florczak (D), 22, STS Sanok, (23, +18)

One of the biggest risers in our rankings is Florczak, who went from the top twenty-five to the top five. The Sanok defenseman is best in his own zone and is not afraid to throw the body around, even if it’s not his forte. He is not a liability with the puck, but it hasn’t translated into much production in the THL yet. This year with Sanok, he recorded one goal and three assists in 38 games, often playing big minutes for the low-budget club. He also played seven games with the senior national team at non-IIHF events and was a late cut from the World Championship roster. Florczak will continue with Sanok in 2025 while also continuing his fight to make his IIHF senior debut for Poland.

4 – Karol Biłas (D), 22, STS Sanok, (8, +4)

From one Sanok defender to another, Biłas slides into the top five. He is one of the best young defenders in the country, but unfortunately, his progress has been halted by a series of season-ending injuries. In back-to-back seasons now, he has suffered injuries that both ended and/or delayed the start of his season. In 2024, he was limited to 15 games but made an impact with six points (1G-5A-6PTS). The second most by a Polish U23 defenseman in the THL! Biłas is a rare Polish defender who could make it outside Poland. He must stay healthy and create a strong numbers season that boosts his resume. 

3 – Kacper Macias (D), 21, GKS Katowice, (16, +13)

If the purpose of my rankings is to project national team talent, then no defender can be higher than Kapcer Macias. The 21-year-old defenseman made his IIHF debut for the senior national team at the top level of the World Championships, playing two games as an injury replacement. He was the youngest defenseman to play for Poland since Pawel Dronia debuted at 21 in 2011. Macias made the national team after a solid club season. In 2024, with GKS Katowice, he recorded 10 points (3G-7A-10PTS) in 58 games. His 10 points were tied for fifth among all U23 players in scoring, while it led Polish U23 defenseman. Macias faced significant challenges this year, and he delivered each time. Macias looks like he will be, at minimum, a top-four defender for the Polish national team, and I expect him to be a regular part of the men’s team going forward. 

2 – Jakub Lewandowski (F), 23, Bemidji State Univ., (3, +1)

Lewandowski rises to the second spot in his final ranking, but that bump is more due to other top ten players aging off. We have already talked about Lewandowski’s season a lot this year. The once prized Polish prospect came into the year hoping to compete for a more significant role at Bemidji State, but an early season injury derailed that. After returning, he couldn’t find his spot in the lineup and eventually was entirely out of it. He finished the year with a goal and an assist in nine games. His lack of time led to him transferring to Northern Michigan University for his senior and final NCAA season. 

The biggest issue for Lewandowski has been a lack of playing in actual games. Before committing to Bemidji State, he could only play in five Czech junior games during the covid-shorten 2021 season. He played 18 games in his first year, with mostly lower minutes, before exiting the lineup. His sophomore year showed more promise, playing 34 games and posting seven points. He is still young, only turning 23 in October, and has good size at 6’3. The lack of consistent playing time due to injury, coaching decisions, and other world factors has hurt his development. Still, Lewandowski’s seven points during his sophomore year were the most recorded by a Polish player in a single NCAA season, while his 13 career points are the most by a Polish player ever. Even making it to the top level of college hockey is rare for Polish players and I still believe Lewandowski will no doubt be a great player for the national team in the future.

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