This part of the ranking really shows the bright future of Polish hockey. While the rest of the list showcased the growing depth of the program. The top five are those with the ability to be top-end players in Division 1 of IIHF play.

List Explainer & Players #50-21	Players #10-6
Players #20-11

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

5 – Matylda Stępień (F), 17, Stanstead Spartans, (6, +1)

GP	G	A	PTS
78	18	23	41

No Pole played more games than Stępień last season. She played in 78 games across the Stanstead organization and then added another five games with Poland at the D1B U18 World Championship. Just even that quantity of ice time sets her up nicely. But Stępień found a lot of success in her first season in Canada. It showed in her dominant performance at the U18s, where she ranked second on the team and fourth in the tournament with seven points. She was dangerous offensively and found ways to get pucks on net in high danger areas. Stępień is another one of the primary reasons why the white and red are looking for gold in January. Her continued development in Canada has me really excited to see what she will be at the 2026 event.

4 – Julia Łapińska (F), 20, Stoczniowiec Gdansk, (16, +12) 

GP	G	A	PTS
22	32	19	51

Łapińska shoots up to the top five in her final year on the rankings. The Gdansk star was tied for the team lead in points with 51. Her point total was tied for sixth in the league among all skaters and tied for second among U20 players. The sniper also picked up four goals at the D2A World Championship. Her first senior IIHF goals came as she returned to the national team for the first time since 2022. She is dynamic in the opposing zone but could further develop her play away from the puck. Łapińska is close to a lock for the national team going forward. 

3 – Magdalena Łąpieś (F), 19, Stoczniowiec Gdansk (3, +0)

GP	G	A	PTS
20	30	21	51

After spending 2024 in Canada, Łąpieś returned to Poland in 2025. She returned to the Gdansk program and was tied for the team lead in points. She was also a significant part of Silesian Metropolis, posting seven points (4G-3A-7PTS) in 22 EWHL games. Those 7 points were tied for third on the team in scoring and 11th among all U20 skaters in the league. Additionally, she remained a top forward for the senior squad, appearing in all 11 IIHF games. During her IIHF season, she recorded four goals and two assists. 

Łąpieś at one point in her national team career seemed like she was destined to be a top two or maybe even number one forward for Poland. But she remains a step or two short of elite forward status. If she can reach that next level, it would be huge for the senior national team. Right now, she is already a lock among the best forwards in Poland. 

2 – Justyna Koszyk (G), 15, Naprzod Janow, (8, +6)

GP	GAA	SV%
6	1.80	.919

Koszyk is a generational goaltending prospect for Poland. In most other years, she would be at number one. At the age of 14, she took over the starting duties for the Polish U18 squad. She put on an excellent performance, stopping 100 of the 112 shots she faced. She helped the team to a silver medal and is in line to start for the white and red again. 

During her club season, she stepped up huge for Janow and was a massive part of their second-place finish. But the most impressive part of the season was her run in the EWHL. She made her debut in December, playing two games. She stopped 55 shots on 56 shots, which included a 33-save shutout vs. the Austrian Graz99ers Huskies. Koszyk demonstrated the ability to thrive at a high level at age 14. Good size, good positioning, and good reflexes; she is an all-around great goalie. 

Koszyk is headed to the Canada for the 2026 season, and I expect that to only further her development. I don’t think it will be long before Koszyk starts for the senior national team.

If you want to keep up with all the Polish hockey action, make sure to follow us on Twitter @PolandHockey, like our Facebook page, and add us on Instagram @PolishPuck_. Also, support us on Patreon to help keep the content flowing!

Thumbnail Photo via polskihokej.eu