Schedules are finalized, rosters are set, and we are now just counting down the days until puck drop. Before the season begins, we start our annual prospect ranking of the best U23 players in Poland.
There has never been a more important time to see what Poland has in its young players. The national team is undergoing a transition with plenty of retirements among its stars. There are also not many players from the next generation.
Of the 196 players who represented Poland U20 from 2015 to 2020, only 19.3% are playing professional hockey. These players would be between 24 and 30 years old today, and just about 80% are effectively retired. Only 17% (26) of the Polish players in the THL this year were between 25 and 29 years old. The players, all of whom are supposed to be in their prime or entering it, are missing. If Poland wants to avoid imports to stay up and compete, it’s going to be on this current generation of young players.
Explainer of the Rankings
Players receive three scores. Their career history (an average of their last three scores), present day (how they performed in 2026), and potential (where I project them to grow into). My scale runs 1 to 10, though it’s possible for a player to score higher than 10. Anything above 10 would probably require them being an NHL player.
The three scores are combined in a weighted fashion, with current play carrying the most weight, to create the player score used for ranking. These scores are a mix of production, my opinion, and player grades. My opinion and grades do involve feedback from coaches, executives, media members, and others from around the hockey world. Our production score is not just about games played and points. It judges who the points come against, how a player performs against top teams/goalies, age in the league, how similar-age players perform, among other factors. (I.e., a goal against GKS Tychy is considered more valuable than a goal against STS Sanok).
While I rank every player individually, most players do score out pretty similarly with very little difference between them. A majority of players currently fall between being a borderline Tauron Hokej Liga (THL) player and having the ability to play on a top line of a 1 Liga team.
List Rules
Players had to be under the age of 23 and at least 16 years old on June 1st, 2026. We are only judging play that occurred before that date. 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 other players contributed their thoughts on players. 189 players were considered for the list and reviewed. Fifty players received a ranking.
The Ranking
Honorable Mentions (Alphabetical order): Adam Hornik, Adam Kubat, Karol Moś, Marat Saroka, Mateusz Walega, Michał Kusak, Nikodem Wroblewski, & Patryk Napiorkowski
Rank – Player Name (Position), Age During Next Hockey Season, Team, (Ranking in 2025, change in rankings). NR – Not Ranked in 2025
50 – Filip Jan Bogdal (D), 20, Rheintal Future U18, (NR)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| Rheintal Future U18 (U18-Top) | 22 | 2 | 12 | 14 |
| Rheintal Future U21 (U21-A) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Poland U18 (U18-D1A) | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Impressed as a two-way defender at the U18s. He has developed well in Switzerland and set a career-high in points in his third U18 Top season.
49 – Jakub Skrzypski (F), 19, MOSM Tychy U20, (37, -12)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| MOSM Tychy U20 (Poland U20) | 30 | 28 | 55 | 83 |
| Poland U20 (U20-D1B) | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
A very talented and skilled playmaker, but slightly undersized. Needs to face a step up in competition. No other Polish player in the U20 league was within 26 points of him.
48 – Wiktor Zajac (F), 19, JKH GKS Jastrzębie, (NR)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| JKH GKS Jastrzębie (THL) | 29 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| JKH GKS Jastrzębie U20 (Poland U20) | 17 | 13 | 22 | 35 |
47 – Mikołaj Osiadły (F) – 19, JKH GKS Jastrzębie, (50, +3)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| JKH GKS Jastrzębie (THL) | 19 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| JKH GKS Jastrzębie U20 (Poland U20) | 18 | 22 | 29 | 51 |
46 – Kacper Skiba (D), 18, HK 32 Liptovsky Mikulas U20 (NR)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| HK 32 Liptovsky Mikulas U20 (Slovakia U20) | 44 | 2 | 11 | 13 |
| Poland U18 (U18-D1A) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A talented two-way defenseman who excels at both ends, he took a major step forward this year in Slovakia. Does a great job of getting pucks on net. That was especially impressive as he moved up from U18 to U20 hockey. He is making a major move to the top level of Czech junior hockey for 2027 with BK Mlada Boleslav U20.
45 – Szymon Chabior (G), 19, MOSM Tychy U20, (NR)
| Team | GP | GAA | SV% |
| GKS Tychy (THL) | 5 | 0.49 | .971 |
| MOSM Tychy U20 (Poland U20) | 14 | 1.75 | .938 |
Chabior led all U20 goalies in save percentage with his .938 mark, .012 better than any other U20 goalie. While they were against Sankok, he also posted two THL shutouts this year.
44 – Kacper Michalski (G), 19, JKH GKS Jastrzębie U20, (NR)
| Team | GP | GAA | SV% |
| JKH GKS Jastrzębie (THL) | 2 | 3.73 | .884 |
| JKH GKS Jastrzębie U20 (Poland U20) | 15 | 2.19 | .926 |
Michalski got opportunities against finalists GKS Tychy and GKS Katowice. He held his own, making 26 out of 29 and 31 out of 35 saves. He was outstanding in the U20 playoffs, posting a .968 SV% over 5 games.
43 – Wojciech Wilczok (D), 19, MOSM Tychy U20, (NR)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| STS Sanok (THL) | 31 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| MOSM Tychy U20 (Poland U20) | 12 | 2 | 11 | 13 |
| Poland U20 (U20-D1B) | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
42 – Wiktor Bieda (D), 20, MOSM Tychy U20, (NR)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| STS Sanok (THL) | 30 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| MOSM Tychy U20 (Poland U20) | 12 | 2 | 10 | 12 |
| Poland U20 (U20-D1B) | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
41 – Tomasz Szczerba (F), 22, Carleton University, (28, -13)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| Carleton University (USports) | 18 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Szczerba departed Poland for the Canadian University League. It was a slow start for the Polish-Canadian forward, but he had 3 points (2G-1A) in his final 8 games.
40 – Piotr Ciepielewski (F), 22, Zagłębie Sosnowiec, (22, -18)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| Ząbłędzie Sosnowiec (THL) | 25 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Naprzód Janów (1 Liga) | 17 | 10 | 13 | 23 |
After posting 6 points in 36 THL games in 2025, Ciepielewski dropped to just 2 points in 25 THL games.
39 – Antoni Galant (F), 17, SMS I Katowice, (NR)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| JKH GKS Jastrzębie U20 (Poland U20) | 8 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
| SMS I Katowice (1 Liga) | 26 | 13 | 13 | 26 |
| Naprzód Janów U18 (Poland U18) | 10 | 13 | 20 | 33 |
| Team Poland U17 (Czechia U17 2) | 14 | 13 | 19 | 32 |
| Poland U18 (U18-D1A) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
A busy player this year with 63 official games across five different teams. Galant impressed at the U18s with the ability to drive and break into the offensive zone.
38 – Szymon Guminski (F), 18, Cracovia Krakow, (NR)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| Cracovia Krakow (THL) | 41 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Poland U20 (U20-D1B) | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Guminski stood out at both ends of the ice at the U20s. He is under a long-term contract with Cracovia, and his future should be bright there. His 7 points were tied for second among U20 skaters in the THL.
37 – Amadeusz Tyński (F), 17, SMS I Katowice, (NR)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| Polonia Bytom U20 (Poland U20) | 7 | 8 | 6 | 14 |
| SMS I Katowice (1 Liga) | 17 | 10 | 13 | 23 |
| Polonia Bytom U18 (Poland U18) | 7 | 14 | 9 | 23 |
| Team Poland U17 (Czechia U17 2) | 13 | 19 | 17 | 36 |
| Poland U18 (U18-D1A) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
One of the top prospects from the 2009 class, Tynski was one of only 7 players representing Poland at the U18s this year who were not from the 2008 class. Tynski just scores and gets pucks on net no matter where he goes.
36 – Radoslaw Kot (F), 18, SMS I Katowice, (NR)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| AM GieKSa Katowice U20 (Poland U20) | 4 | 6 | 8 | 14 |
| SMS I Katowice (1 Liga) | 15 | 12 | 9 | 21 |
| Cracovia Krakow (THL) | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Poland U18 (U18-D1A) | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
A ball of energy on the ice, the 17-year-old was able to earn a call-up to the THL and took advantage with 2 points, including an assist against Katowice in the playoffs.
35 – Borys Dawid (F), 18, Cracovia Krakow, (NR)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| AM GieKSa Katowice U20 (Poland U20) | 6 | 9 | 16 | 25 |
| SMS I Katowice (1 Liga) | 24 | 12 | 20 | 32 |
| Cracovia Krakow (THL) | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Poland U18 (U18-D1A) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
The captain of Poland U18 impressed at the D1A with his ability to carry the puck in the offensive zone, create space, and find an open teammate. He projects as a key player for Team Poland in the future.
34 – Paweł Wybiral (F), 23, Polonia Bytom, (NR)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| Polonia Bytom (THL) | 37 | 9 | 6 | 15 |
Wybiral stayed loyal to Polonia and made it to the THL with the club this year. The long-awaited debut was successful, as his 15 points were tied for 5th among U23 skaters, and his .41 points per game were 4th among all U23 skaters.
33 – Tymoteusz Petrazycki (F), 19, Polonia Bytom U20, (18, -15)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| Polonia Bytom U20 (Poland U20) | 22 | 29 | 15 | 44 |
| Polonia Bytom (THL) | 17 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Poland U20 (U20-D1B) | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Petrazycki is one of the best goal scorers among all Polish prospects. The THL debut was not successful, as he had only 1 assist in 17 games. Still, he showed that his goal-scoring ability remains elite, averaging over a goal per game at the U20 level.
32 – Arkadiusz Karasiński (F), 22, Polonia Bytom, (39, +7)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| Polonia Bytom U20 (Poland U20) | 5 | 9 | 1 | 10 |
| Polonia Bytom (THL) | 31 | 2 | 8 | 10 |
Karasiński moved from Sosnowiec and Polonia and, in doing so, found more production. The young forward set career highs in assists and points.
31 – Jakub Musioł (F), 22, Polonia Bytom, (19, -12)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| Polonia Bytom (THL) | 42 | 4 | 5 | 9 |
Musioł was able to stick in the THL, moving from Polonia Bytom to Sanok. His production stayed about the same despite a decreased role. He now moves to Sosnowiec, his fourth THL team in four years.
30 – Wiktor Tanczyk (D), 18, MOSM Tychy U20, (NR)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| MOSM Tychy U20 (Poland U20) | 31 | 9 | 15 | 24 |
| GKS Tychy (THL) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Poland U18 (U18-D1A) | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
Tanczyk was the standout defenseman for Poland at the U18s. He is the first Polish U18 defenseman to record a point-per-game tournament in the modern IIHF system. Late in games, he did struggle, but it’s acceptable, given that the entire Poland team was playing gassed at the end and the talent disparity in Division 1 Group A. As Poland desperately needs a defenseman, Tanczyk looks to be a player with the poise to make an impact sooner rather than later.
29 – Szymon Kucharski (F), 23, GKS Tychy, (25, -4)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| MOSM Tychy U20 (Poland U20) | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| GKS Tychy (THL) | 43 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
A very skilled but undersized center, Kurcharski has slowly chipped away at a larger role in Tychy. He set a career high in games played this year, just over doubling his total from 2025.
28 – Krystian Lisowski (F), 21, Ketterä U20, (26, -2)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| Ketterä U20 (U20 Mestis) | 38 | 27 | 28 | 55 |
Lisowski was admittedly one of the hardest players to rank this year. The young forward plays in the second level of U20 hockey in Finland. His 55 points were sixth among all players in the league. It’s impressive, but he was an overager, and the U20 Mestis doesn’t typically produce many professional players. Only 17.56% of his production matches became Mestis regulars, with zero seeing regular time at a higher level. He is talented and could probably play in Poland, but as of now he has yet to sign anywhere (officially) for the 2026-27 season.
27 – Ihnat Kashalevich (D), 19, HC Prerov U20, (32, +5)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| HC Prerov U20 (Czech U20 2) | 43 | 14 | 22 | 36 |
| Poland U20 (U20-D1B) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kashalevich made the move to Czechia and flashed off his two-way game. He was third among defensemen in points in the second level of Czech U20 hockey. Hopefully, he can move to stronger competition for his 19-year-old season. He came into the year as a very raw player and developed a lot. Kashalveich is ready for another step up.
26 – Leon Stryczek (F), 18, HC Poruba U20, (30, +4)
| Team | GP | G | A | PTS |
| HC Poruba U20 (Czech U20) | 23 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Poland U18 (U18-D1A) | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
Stryczek made a lot of noise at the U18s. He excelled at both ends of the ice, really flashing as a playmaker and penalty killer. He was named the best player on Team Poland U18 at the event. Stryczek reminded me a lot of Dominik Pas at that tournament. It makes the production during his club season even more confusing. He should be able to find a larger role next year.
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