We have a new number one-ranked player! The new number one will become only the third different player to hold the top spot, and I would bet her reign will last a while.

Rank – Player Name (Position), Age During Next Hockey Season, Team (Ranking in 2024, change in rankings) 

1 – Malgorzata Zakrzewska (F), 15, Naprzod Janow, (2,+1)

There was never any doubt about who was going to be number one on the list this year. Zakrzewska has the potential to be the best player in women’s national team history. At 14 years old, she has already amassed 190 points in 55 TLHK games across three seasons. Those are massive numbers for anyone, regardless of age, but to do it before you’re even 15 is astounding. 2025 was another banner year in the league, as she was tied for third in the league with 72 points. 

The bigger story was Zakrzewska beginning to make her presence felt beyond Poland. The forward made her debut with Poland’s club in the EWHL, Silesian Metropolis. In the European senior league, she recorded 7 points (3G, 3A, 7PTS) in 17 games. This led all U16 skaters in points. It was also tied for the third on her team. 

Her production didn’t stop when she made her highly anticipated debut for Team Poland at the D1B U18 World Championship. Zakrzewska was a level above almost the rest of the tournament, and it showed as she led the tournament in goals with seven. She added five more assists and was named the best player on Team Poland at the event. I think the most insane stat from the tournament was her 51 shots in just five games. An average of just over 10 shots per game. In Poland’s games against Australia and South Korea, their opponents recorded only 16 and 15 shots, respectively. Zakrzewska had 10 and 12 shots alone in those games. A single player almost outshooting an opponent is crazy. 

Zakrzewska has moved to Canada for 2026. Where, spoiler alert, she has remained offensively dominant. While the white and red have a strong roster with plenty of depth, the primary reason I think the U18 squad is winning gold is Zakrzewska. She is above the rest of the tournament, and I believe she guarantees you multiple goals per game. As soon as she is eligible, I would expect her to join the senior national team.

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Thumbnail Photo via Michał Chwieduk / Fokusmedia