The road to the Division 1 Group A (D1A) World Championships kicked off in Lithuania. In a pair of exhibition games, Poland took on their host, who earned promotion from Division 1 Group B last season. These two will be facing off again in May on the final day of the D1A Worlds. That final game could very well have major implications for both countries. 

But first, these games from over the weekend. With much lower stakes, neither team was at full strength. Poland was without a large portion of its roster. The Tauron Hokej Liga (THL) finals had concluded the day before the team departed. Included in those missing was head coach Pekka Tirkkonen. In his place, Grzegorz Klich and Tobiasz Bigos took charge of the squad. This is by no means uncommon, as the first set of international games for Poland typically features a young roster due to scheduling conflicts with the end of the club season. 

Roster

Goalies: Maciej Miarka & Tobiasz Jaworski

Defensemen: Bartosz Ciura, Kamil Górny, Karol Biłas, Eryk Schafer, Jakub Wanacki, Michał Naróg, & Patryk Hanzel

Forwards: Aron Chmielewski, Bartłomiej Stolarski, Christian Mroczkowski, Dominik Jarosz, Jakub Lewandowski, Jakub Ślusarczyk, Jan Sołtys, Kamil Wałęga, Krzysztof Maciaś, Michał Bernacki, Mikołaj Syty, Patryk Krężołek, Sebastian Brynkus, & Szymon Kiełbicki. 

On the other side, Lithuania was without nine members of last year’s D2B gold medal winning team. Though some of the young players who replaced them are likely to be upgrades over last season’s roster. This year, Lithuania had two players in the top junior league in the world, the Canadian Hockey League. Dovydas Jukna (Rimouski Océanic, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) and Mykolas Skadauskas (Lethbridge Hurricanes, Western Hockey League) joined Lithuania for these games. Also joining was likely a top-50 NHL draft pick, Simas Ignatavicius, the crown jewel of Lithuania’s prospects. Ignatavicius had 16 points in 63 games as a 17-year-old forward in the Swiss National League. That is a level no Pole has appeared at since Mariusz Czerkawski in 2008. 

That is what makes Lithuania such an interesting opponent for Poland. The country has only a reported 120 senior players and 1,305 junior players (Ranging from U8 to U20) per the IIHF. Despite that, they have developed elite talent at a much higher rate than the white and red. Poland has a couple of players in the lower lines of Czechia and one in the top six in Slovakia. Lithuania has multiple players in the top six leagues in Europe and plenty more in the better junior leagues across the world. A lack of depth is the only thing limiting them. 

That combination makes the perfect team to pull off an upset. But this past weekend, the Polish national team was more than up to the challenge to make sure no upset could happen. In the two-game series, Poland won 3-1 on Friday and then 3-0 on Saturday. 

The two games were pretty similar. Poland largely controlled the game flow and forced Lithuania into low-danger chances. Lithuania definitely came out more aggressively, but that aggression was costly, as it often led to turnovers. It was not a dominant effort by any means from team Poland, but they did enough to leave no doubt. Lithuania’s lone goal in the series came with just a second left in the Friday match-up. Poland’s defensive structure held up well, and Lithuania was forced mainly to outside or bad-angle shots unless they capitalized on one of the few Polish mistakes. Even then, goaltenders Maciej Miarka and Tobiasz Jaworski stopped whatever strong chance they had. 

Poland’s Ace? 

When Great Britain needs a goal, you know Liam Kirk is good for one. When Kazakhstan needs a score they turn to Nikita Mikhailis. When Poland needs a goal, who is that player? Right now, in my opinion, it is Szymon Kiełbicki. Kiełbicki uses his speed to drive to the net and create his own scoring chances. The talented 22-year-old has been the most consistent forward during the 2026 international season, adding two highlight-reel goals to his resume this weekend.  

A Set Defense? 

The Polish defense has continued to excel this season despite being my biggest on-paper concern. For context, there are fewer than 50 Polish defencemen playing hockey at a professional level. Five defensemen from the 2024 Elite World Championship squad have already retired from the national team. But this group seems to have found something with another solid performance. It also might already be a set group, as only Bartłomiej Pociecha and Mateusz Bryk are joining for the games against Hungary next weekend. Patryk Hanzel is the lone defenseman from the Lithuania games not on the main roster for the matches against Hungary. The 20-year-old defenseman is still listed as a reserve. 

A Crowded Offense 

It will be hard to pick the forward group in 2026. The return of Aron Chmielewski and Kamil Wałęga gives Poland its top dogs on offense. I would also count Krzysztof Maciaś, Patryk Krężołek, and Szymon Kiełbicki as locks. So five spots are guaranteed, and I would add Pawel Zygmunt to that list if he is available. That means there are likely only six or seven spots left, depending on how many defenseman Poland takes.

Competing for those roles, you’ll have some major names. Alan Łyszczarczyk, Dominik Paś, and Filip Komorski feel like the next-closest locks, but all had down years production-wise in the THL. The two biggest breakout stars of the year were Christian Mroczkowski and Jakub Lewandowski. Mroczkowski is versatile, high-energy, and not afraid to grind it out or get physical. Lewandowski brings size and is a great net-front presence, as well as a solid playmaker. Both bring many of the things you want on the lower lines. It does really feel like the five remaining exhibition games will determine who makes it under new head coach Pekka Tirkkonen. So who will rise to the occasion?

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