The PZHL is officially preparing for the 2025-26 season with the announcement of five of its six national team coaches. The federation announced no changes on the women’s side, while the men’s staff sees coaches take on two new roles. Each coach will have a significant task ahead for the season. Every Polish team will either be a favorite for gold or among the most likely to be relegated in their IIHF division. 

Women’s Senior Head Coach: Arkadiusz Sobecki (2nd Year)

Former men’s national team goalie Arkadiusz Sobecki will return to lead the women’s squad. In his first year, Poland took silver at the Division 2 Group A level. It’s always great to win a medal, but Poland was expected to win gold at the event hosted in Bytom. Some missing veterans didn’t help, but Poland’s loss to Spain was a disappointing result. Poland will once again be the favorites for gold in 2026. Sobecki has had a long international coaching career for Poland, but last year was his first as a head coach for the white and red. He has primarily served as a goaltending coach for both men’s and women’s national teams. Sobecki also serves as the goaltending coach for GKS Katowice in the THL. 

Men’s U20 Head Coach: Andrei Gusov (1st Year) 

Gusov will continue working with Poland’s top junior talent, but will move up to the U20 squad. The move comes after Gusov spent three years with Poland U18, which included back-to-back gold medals and promotions in his last two years. He will know almost all of the U20 squad, as he helped coach them at the U18 level. It will also present a new challenge, as Gusov will return to the bench at the THL level for Polonia Bytom. Poland U20 is seeking a refresh after missing out on a medal in five straight tournaments. Gusov is a highly experienced coach working across Belarus and Poland at both the international and club levels. He won two championships in Belarus and a THL championship with Tychy in 2019. 

Men’s U18 head Coach: Grzegorz Rostkowski (1st Year) 

Grzegorz Rostkowski is the only new face this year. The 36-year-old coach will be making his IIHF debut as Poland U18’s new head coach. Rostkowski played in the Polish second level for Legia Warszawa from 2007 to 2015. He spent one year in the THL with JKH GKS Jastrzebie in 2016 before ending his playing days. Rostkowski started coaching during his professional career, leading Warszawa’s U10 and U12 teams. He has also worked in China and Norway, both on the ice and in the weight room. Most notably in Norway, he led Lorenskog IK to a U18 championship in 2022. Poland U18 is facing a significant battle as they will compete in Division 1 Group A for the first time. 

Women’s U18 Head Coach: Magdalena Jabłońska (6th Year) 

Jabłońska continues to head up the U18 squad for Poland. During her time, Poland U18 has medaled at all four of its IIHF appearances. This includes three silver medals. Poland U18 is looking for gold this year after coming up a game short in 2025. There is a tremendous amount of talent coming for Poland U18. Jabłońska has also led plenty of U16 squads for Poland to success against higher-ranked countries. 2026 might be the year they finally break through to the gold medal and advance to the next IIHF division. Before switching to coaching, Jabłońska played in the TLHK for Naprzod Janów and Atomowki Tychy.

Men’s U16 Head Coach: Bartłomiej Stępień (2nd Year) 

Bartłomiej Stępień returns to lead Poland U16 for a second season. Stępień has been a long-time member of the Polonia Bytom organization both as a coach and player. During his playing career, he also represented Poland internationally at the U20 and U18 levels. Last year was his first year in charge of the Poland U16, where he led Poland to a bronze medal at the Riga Cup. Poland continues to see an upward trajectory of young talent, there is a lot of hype for its 09, 10, and 11 classes. The U16 level is the first introduction to international hockey for many young players, and Stępień will look to continue the successful run he and Bigosz have had.

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