We move into the top half of the rankings. The players in this grouping have either started to make a larger impact at the professional level, in a strong league abroad, or on the international junior stage.

Part 1: Explainer and Players #50-26

25 – Matthew McGovern (F), 19, HC Sparta Praha U20, (35, +10)

Team	GP	G	A	PTS
HC Sparta Praha U20 (Czech U20)	38	7	11	18
Poland U20 (U20-D1B)	5	1	2	3

McGovern has continued to take big steps in Czechia. His 18 points tripled his production from last year. He was a leader for Poland U20 and played really well against Italy. He will return to HC Sparta Praha U20 for a final junior season and should be one of the stars of Poland U20. 

24 – Adam Sawicki (F), 20, Lewiston MAINEiacs, (NR)

Team	GP	G	A	PTS
Lewiston MAINEiacs (NCDC)	45	13	12	25
Poland U20 (U20-D1B)	5	2	0	2

Really a dominant forward in the offensive zone with a strong shot and good net front presence. He also has some dangle and flash to his game. Sawicki took a major step towards being a complete player and projects as a good power forward.

23 – Olaf Zachariasz (F), 19, HC Vítkovice U20, (42, +19)

Team	GP	G	A	PTS
HC Vítkovice U20 (Czechia U20)	48	5	12	17
Poland U20 (U20-D1B)	5	1	2	3

Zachariasz returned to Czechia with a solid showing. At the U20s, he showed some magical chemistry with Jakub Janik, playing the playmaker role in the pair. He is turning professional with Zaglebie Sosnowiec in 2027, and it will be interesting to see what role he can carve out.

22 – Karol Sobecki (D), 21, GKS Tychy, (15, -7) 

Team	GP	G	A	PTS
GKS Tychy (THL)	27	0	6	6
MOSM Tychy (Poland U20)	4	0	3	3

Sobecki officially exits his junior days with a career high in THL games played and points. All but one of those points came against Sanok. It’s a packed lineup in Tychy, but 2027 could be a breakout year for the young defenseman as he could fill the hole left by Olaf Bizacki. 

21 – Maksymilian Dawid (F), 21, GKS Katowice, (23,+2)

Team	GP	G	A	PTS
AM GieKSa Katowice U20 (Poland U20)	6	9	20	29
GKS Katowice (THL)	52	3	3	6

With good size, skating, and hands, Dawid set career highs in games played, goals, assists, and points in 2026. He is now moving to Sosnowiec for 2027. Whether he will be able to find a larger role with Sosnowiec remains to be seen, but he is already a solid bottom-six forward in the THL. 

20 – Rafał Drabik (F), 20, GKS Tychy, (NR)

Team	GP	G	A	PTS
MOSM Tychy U20 (Poland U20)	9	13	14	27
GKS Tychy (THL)	34	4	3	7
UHT Sabres Oświęcim (EUHL)	2	1	1	2
Poland U20 (U20-D1B)	5	1	0	1

Drabik had his first real taste of professional hockey in 2026 and impressed. His 7 points were tied for second among all U20 players. He really held up well in limited Champions Hockey League action. I think he has a really bright future with the national team as a middle-six forward. Finding more consistent offensive success at the next level will be key for that. 

19 – Jakub Janik (F), 19, GKS Tychy, (33, +14)

Team	GP	G	A	PTS
MOSM Tychy U20 (Poland U20)	20	30	27	57
GKS Tychy (THL)	21	1	2	3
UHT Sabres Oświęcim (EUHL)	2	1	1	2
Poland U20 (U20-D1B)	5	2	1	3

A pure goal scorer, Janik is always good for a couple of highlights during international play. With good hands, size, and shot, he looks to be a major weapon in the future. Poland U20 will be counting on him to score a few at the 2027 World Juniors. Janik comes in as one of the largest risers on this year’s list. 

18 – Wiktor Makula (F), 19, HC Oceláři Třinec U20, (29, +11)

Team	GP	G	A	PTS
HC Oceláři Třinec U20 (Czechia U20)	54	6	6	22
Poland U20 (U20-D1B)	5	1	2	3

Makula took a major step forward in Czechia this season. He found a larger role and never left the lineup, helping Oceláři Třinec to a U20 championship. On the box score, he more than quadrupled his point total, going from 5 to 22.

17 – Oliwier Kurnicki (D), 22, KH Toruń, (14, -3)

Team	GP	G	A	PTS
KH Torun (THL)	33	1	2	3
GAS Olivia Gdansk (1 Liga)	9	2	2	4
Poland (International)	2	0	0	0

It is now three seasons in a row that Kurnicki has been called up to the Polish national team. In his final year in the rankings, he scored his first THL goal but saw a slight drop in his overall production. Never able to find a full-time major role in Torun, he is moving to Polonia Bytom for 2027. The change in scenery could be just what the young defenseman needs to reach that next level.

16 – Tobiasz Jaworski (G), 19, Polonia Bytom U20, (NR)

Team	GP	GAA	SV%
Polonia Bytom (THL)	8	2.91	.918
Polonia Bytom U20 (Poland U20)	15	3.11	.920
Poland U20 (U20-D1B)	2	3.42	.881
Poland (International)	1	0.00	1.000

Jaworski went from just missing last year’s ranking to the top 16 and our third-highest goalie. Earning the trust of Gusov during his time with Poland U18, he got the backup role in Polonia Bytom’s return to the THL. It was a great first year for the young goalie, with his highlight game being a 40-save 4-1 win against KH Torun. He should be in line to take over as the starter for Poland U20 in 2027.

15 – Bartłomiej Stolarski (F), 20, JKH GKS Jastrzębie, (36, +21)

Team	GP	G	A	PTS
JKH GKS Jastrzębie U20 (Poland U20)	5	3	4	7
JKH GKS Jastrzębie (THL)	43	5	6	11
Poland (International)	1	0	0	0
Poland U20 (U20-D1B)	5	0	2	2

An all-around talented forward, Stolarski took advantage of the opportunity at a rebuilding Jastrzebie. He led all U20 skaters in points and was the only one to hit double-digit points. He earned a call-up to the senior national team as well. He projects as a top-line forward in the THL and should be in line for an even larger role in Jastrzębie.

14 – Jakub Onak (D), 20, JKH GKS Jastrzębie, (17, +3)

Team	GP	G	A	PTS
JKH GKS Jastrzębie U20 (Poland U20)	6	2	5	7
JKH GKS Jastrzębie (THL)	41	2	4	6
Poland U20 (U20-D1B)	5	0	1	1

One of the most poised defensemen among Poland’s prospects, Onak set new career highs in THL games played, goals, assists, and points. He made his third appearance for Poland U20, showing his best in his own zone. He should be in line to start vying for senior non-IIHF chances in 2027. 

13 – Błażej Chodor (D), 21, GKS Katowice, (13, +0)

Team	GP	G	A	PTS
GKS Katowice (THL)	55	4	9	13
Poland (International)	3	0	0	0

Chodor took a major step and became a regular in the 2026 Katowice lineup. He set career highs in every category and earned three senior national team games as well. He was the only U23 defenseman to hit double-digit points and led the group by 5 points. It’s the third most points in a season by a U23 Polish defenseman since 2020. Chodor really looks like he could be a key contributor to Poland’s future. 

12 – Jakub Hofman (F), 21, GKS Katowice, (20, +8)

Team	GP	G	A	PTS
GKS Katowice (THL)	55	7	6	13
AM GieKSa Katowice U20 (Poland U20)	3	7	2	9

The first of the Hofman twins on our list, they showed that Poland may have some Sedin magic coming to the national team. Jakub found a larger offensive role late in the year and through the early playoffs with 10 points in 22 games during the end-of-year stretch. I expect Jakub to start getting some senior national team looks this upcoming season. 

11 – Patryk Hanzel (D), 20, JKH GKS Jastrzębie, (16, +5) 

Team	GP	G	A	PTS
JKH GKS Jastrzębie U20 (Poland U20)	5	1	5	5
JKH GKS Jastrzębie (THL)	38	2	3	5
Poland (International)	2	0	0	0
Poland U20 (U20-D1B)	5	0	1	1

The captain of Poland U20 is next on our list. Hanzel just missed out on his IIHF senior debut as the final cut for the Division 1 Group A World Championship. He got the call-up after Olaf Bizacki’s injury and impressing Tirkkonen at previous events. It was a big season of growth for the defenseman as he set new career highs in every category in his sophomore THL season.

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Thumbnail Photo via polskihokej.eu