Everyone already knew who was going to be number one. The Macias era is here, and he is the fourth player to be ranked number one in the ten years we have produced a ranking.
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.
1. Krzysztof Maciaś (F), 20, Prince Albert Raiders, (2, +1)
Macias will likely own the number one spot until he ages off the list. He is the top Polish prospect of the decade, maybe even the century, as he chases Łyszczarczyk’s scoring numbers in the Canadian Hockey League. The Podhale native is a rare Polish player who appears to be on track to play in the top hockey leagues of the world. While AHL, SHL, or NL players may not be a big deal for some countries, in Polish hockey, we still get hyped upon players in Slovakia or the second league of Germany. There is so much to say about Macias, but let’s start with a recap of his year.
We go to Nathan Reiter, a sports reporter for the Prince Albert Daily Herald, for a recap of his club season.
Coming into the season, many around the WHL didn’t know what to expect from Krzysztof Macias. It’s safe to say ‘The Polish Prince’ surpassed every expectation, becoming the top scorer all-time amongst Polish-born players in the WHL.
Macias was selected by the Raiders 15th overall in the 2023 CHL Import Draft and he would make an immediate impact scoring his first WHL goal in the Raiders season opening 5-0 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors
Macias recorded 22 goals and 25 assists for the Prince Albert Raiders, sliding nicely into Prince Albert’s top six by season’s end skating alongside overage centreman Turner McMillen and top 2024 NHL Draft prospect Ryder Ritchie.
Ritchie missed a significant stretch of time following the Christmas break with a lower body injury. Macias was a big reason the Raiders were able to stay in the playoff conversation during the time.
The two most special goals of the season for Macias came on February 10 in a 7-3 Raider win over the Brandon Wheat Kings. Krzysztof’s mom Agnieszka and father Marcin were in attendance that night. The journey from Nowy Targ to Prince Albert takes over 24 hours of total travel time, including flights, driving and layovers.
It was a fantastic rookie year for Macias in the WHL, who surpassed Marcin Kolusz for the most points ever by a Polish player. His year was far from over. After the Raiders were eliminated from the WHL playoffs, Macias joined the Polish national team. He would become the first U20 player to represent Poland at the top World Championship since former NHL star Mariusz Czerkawski in 1992.
The world championships would be where Macias mania would genuinely kick-off. In Poland’s first game at the top level in 22 years, Macias scored the first goal for his home country.
The bounce goes Poland's way. Macias from Michalski.
— Polish Puck (@PolandHockey) May 11, 2024
1-0 🇵🇱 pic.twitter.com/UO8Gv5NDak
That would not be his only goal in that game, as Macias would strike again to the tie the game at three. Poland lose to Latvia 5-4 in overtime, but the 20-year-old proved he belong with Poland’s best. At the top of the international hockey world, Macias finished with two goals in seven games. His two goals would see him tied with Kamil Walega for the team lead. It was a great offensive tournament for the young forward, who was extremely hard on the puck. He drew penalties against NHL players Marcus Johansson and Zach Werenski, who saw firsthand how hard it was to remove him from the puck.
His play at the event also earned praise from former NHL defenseman and current Predators development coach Mark Borowiecki “Macias is young but I like that he looks like he wants to be a difference maker offensively. Seems like he wants the puck on his stick. Tough to teach that mindset. Great that he has it.”
The crazy year would not end there, as Macias would receive an invite to the Florida Panthers’ development camp after going undrafted. Macias would impress at the camp and earn another invite from the Panthers, this time to attend their AHL training camp with the Charlotte Checkers. While Macias would not secure an NHL or AHL contract, getting multiple looks makes his future appear very bright.
Macias returned to the Prince Albert Raiders for his overage and final WHL season. The 5’11 left winger is the future of Polish hockey right now, and his success will significantly affect the country. If he can eventually make an NHL run, it will be massive news for Poland and a sport desperate for attention in the country. Even if those high goals are not reached, Macias appears to be a player bound for the top levels of professional hockey.
When we look at his WHL production matches, only 2.6% went on to become regular NHL players, but 30.6% became regular players in the AHL or a top European league. That is the most likely path for Macias. Poland doesn’t have any player in either currently and haven’t for a while. Macias is a dynamic forward, hard to separate from the puck, and always wants to be leader on offense. I have no problem projecting him as the face of the Polish national team for the next two decades.
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