We break into the top 10 and start to look at Poland’s top prospects, many of whom are already making major appearances for the senior national team. We also get our two highest goalies on the list.

Part 1: Explainer and Players #50-26

Part 2: Players #25-11

Rank – Player Name (Position), Age During Next Hockey Season, Team, (Ranking in 2025, change in rankings). NR – Not Ranked in 2025 

10 – Eryk Schafer (D), 22, KH Torun, (31, +21)

Team	GP	G	A	PTS
Sokoly Torun U20 (Poland U20)	2	1	3	4
KH Torun (THL)	43	1	4	5
Poland (International)	7	0	0	0
GAS Olivia Gdansk (1 Liga)	5	1	2	3

A ball of energy on the ice, Schafer’s development felt a bit rocky in past years. 2026 was his breakout year; he earned his largest role to date with KH Torun. He posted THL career highs in every category. More notably, he was one of the most consistent members of the national team in 2026. If not for a late training camp injury, he may have been making his World Championship debut. 

Schafer has everything Poland needs along their blue line.  He can do a little bit of everything and never shies away from the gritty areas. Getting more consistent shift to shift will be key in 2027. If he puts it all together, I see him making his World Championship debut in the red and white. He is the largest riser on this year’s list. 

9 – Jonasz Hofman (F), 21, GKS Katowice, (21, +12)

Team	GP	G	A	PTS
GKS Katowice (THL)	54	5	13	18
Poland (International)	2	0	2	2

The other half of the Hofman twins breaks into the top 10! The solid skating forward came in fourth among all U23 skaters in points. The strong season earned him a call-up to the national team for the Sarkozy Tamas Memorial tournament. He impressed there as well, showcasing his playmaking ability and picking up assists vs. Italy and Hungary. Hofman seems set to be a strong member of Team Poland in the near future. His ability to read defenses will be a major boost to the power play.

8 – Kacper Prokopiak (F/D), 20, Unia Oświęcim (12, +4)

Team	GP	G	A	PTS
UHT Sabres Oświęcim (1 Liga)	9	7	8	15
UHT Sabres Oświęcim (EUHL)	3	2	2	4
Unia Oświęcim (THL)	43	2	3	5

Prokopiak is a tank on the ice. That is not just because of his 6’5 frame, but also because he is charging forward no matter what is in his path. The defenseman has a big stride and uses that to push the puck up the ice quickly. He reminds me a lot of a young Nikita Tryamkin. Prokopiak is best in the offensive zone but remains very raw at both ends. If he can put it together, he has a chance to be a hugely impactful player. 

These traits and potential are not just making noise in Poland. The Oswiecim defender was drafted in the 9th round of the NAHL Entry Draft by the Elmira Aviators. It is the perfect level for him to develop and play against stronger competition his own age. If he can learn to use his size better in the defensive zone, he could develop into a top two defenseman for the national team. 

7 – Jakub Wieczorek (G), 20, GCK Lions U21, (10, +3) 

Team	GP	GAA	SV%
GCK Lions U21 (U21-Elit)	31	2.01	NA
EHC Wetzikon (MyHL)	14	2.49	NA

Wieczorek looks like he could be the first Pole to play in the top level of Switzerland since Mariusz Czerkawski did in 2008. The young goalie was a star for both the GCK Lions in the top level of Swiss junior hockey and for EHC Wetzikon in the third level of men’s hockey. His 34 allowed goals were the fewest by a goalie with 10 or more games in the MyHL. He was in better in the playoffs with an amazing 1.92 goals-against average.

His strong performance earned him a chance to compete at the next level up in 2027 as he signed with EHC Arosa in the Swiss League. EHC Arosa finished 11th last year in their return to the second-highest level of Swiss hockey. They hold a partnership with the legendary HC Davos club. It’s a young goaltending room for Arosa. Still, Wieczorek will have to battle it out with two Swiss junior international goalies in returning starter Diego Simeoni and Nils Pasche on loan from Lausanne HC. 

6 – Igor Tyczyński (G), 20, Unia Oświęcim, (8, +2)

Team	GP	GAA	SV%
Unia Oświęcim (THL)	17	2.32	.915
UHT Sabres Oświęcim (1 Liga)	9	1.61	.951
UHT Sabres Oświęcim (EUHL)	3	1.67	NA
Poland U20 (U20-D1B)	3	1.00	.930

The best young goalie in Poland, Tyczyński ends his U20 career with a solid showing at every level. He had a great THL rookie year, serving as the primary backup and getting in 17 appearances. It’s the most games played by a U20 goalie in Poland (On a non-U23-only team) since Przemysław Odrobny appeared in 18 in 2005. The highlight games of the year were when he stopped 35 of 36 against GKS Tychy, and then two days later stopped 42 of 44 against GKS Katowice. Picking up two massive wins back to back against the THL finalists shows he is going to be ready to start soon. 

All the talent, position, and traits are there for Tyczyński to be the future starter of the national team. The real question is: how long will it take him to get a starting role in Poland, and will he?

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Thumbnail Photo via polskihokej.eu