The top two spots in our rankings were always pretty much a lock. The number three ranking did almost everything they could do in Poland to dethrone one of them.

Players had to be under the age of 20 and at least 13 years old on September 12th, 2022. We are only judging play that occurred before that date as well. 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 most of the ranking is my opinion, numerous Polish hockey people contributed their thoughts on players. 113 players were considered for the list and reviewed. Fifty players received a ranking.

Players 50-31	Players 15-11	Players 5-4
Players 30-21	Players 10-8
Players 20-16	Players 7-6

3 – Magdalena Łąpieś (F), 16, Stoczniowiec Gdansk, (3,0)

Magdalena Łąpieś is Poland’s best prospect still playing in the country. Since she first appeared on the list, she has challenged to break into the top two. Her season in 2022 had extreme highs, making me wonder if she is the next star Polish forward like Karolina Pozniewska or Wiktoria Sikorska. The player is an exact blend of everything you want in hockey; the speed, smarts, puck skills, and shots are all there. She has all the makings of an elite hockey player. In games, she can be a walking highlight reel that takes over your viewing of a match. Talking to some in Poland, the all-around two-way game is a work in progress but above that of other players due to her natural ability on the ice. She is a rapidly developing player in Poland and plays with much confidence. Going abroad would be the next step in her evolution, but she is also a full-time member of Metropolis Katowice in the EWHL, which gives her strong senior experience.

Łąpieś had a career year in the PLHK this season. In only 22 games, she scored 39 goals and assisted on 26. Her 65 points were the fourth most in the entire league and the most by any U20 skater. It is the second-best U20 season ever by points, with Olivia Tomczok’s 66-point season being the only one better. On top of this, she did all this in just her age 15 season. She also made her debut for Metropolis Katowice in the EWHL. In 20 games, the Zgierz native recorded eight points (3G-5A-8PTS). This was tied for the third most on the Polish club and the second most by any U16 player in the league. Both club seasons belong in the history books. Everything you could ask for out of a young player.

What a goal by Magdalena Łąpieś!!!

Poland up 2–1 pic.twitter.com/eVKg4c7mPi

— Polish Puck (@PolandHockey) February 7, 2023

The Gdansk standout also started waves on the international stage. She represented both the senior team and the U18 squad at IIHF events. A member of team Poland for both rounds of Olympic qualification, where she recorded a goal and an assist in six games. Later at the World Championships, another two assists in five games were added to her season. Her final international stop was at the U18s, where she recorded one goal in four games. If I had to point out one knock on Łąpieś’ season, it would be the international production. This was mainly at the U18s, where she was a bit unlucky with just one goal, as she did fire off 21 shots at the event.

Undoubtedly, Łąpieś is the best U20 player in Poland. She will be a top-line player for the national team for as long as she wants. I also believe she could be a star outside of Poland, as evidenced by her strong performance in the EWHL. If she chooses to leave Poland, I could see her reaching the same levels of professional success as Sikorska or Zielińska.

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!

Now just the final three left in the rankings. These three are special players that have no right to be as good as they are just based on the odds of how Polish hockey has developed. The odds didn’t matter though, and at such a young age, they have inspired a generation of hockey fans in Poland that bigger things are possible. Two of the top three are very close in age, and have already made a tremendous impact on the sport in the country, while our number three player is a bit behind them in age, they have made their own impact in a very short time. 

Players had to be under 20 on June 30th, 2021. We are only judging play that occurred before that date as well. Players are evaluated based on a combination of career history, current play, and potential. While most of the ranking is my opinion, numerous Polish hockey people contributed their thoughts on players. Ninety-five players were considered for the list and reviewed, and fifty players received a ranking. Players 50-31 will be revealed at the end of the series in the breakdown article. Only the top 30 players receive a report.

Players 30-21	Players 10-8
Players 20-16	Players 7-4
Players 15-11

Rank – Player Name (Position), Age During Next Hockey Season, Team (Ranking in 2020, change in rankings)

3 – Magdalena Łąpieś (F), 16, Stoczniowiec Gdansk, (20, +17) 

When I ranked Łąpieś last year, she was only 14 turning 15 soon and had just put up a 20 point year in the PLHK A. There are a lot of really young forwards in the PLHK A that put up great numbers in their early years, and then try to chase that point total for the rest of their career. Of course, there is a multitude of reasons for this. One big thing you never see out of a lot of those players is a massive leap in their skillset. They rise, but not to the level their early success in the PLHK A would indicate. Łąpieś was already a different beast then them putting up 20 points in her first senior season. 

Her 2021 season would suggest a similar path to a lot of the players I alluded to previously. As she went from 20 points in the regular season to just 11. But that doesn’t tell the whole story of her season and play. As she has quickly become one of the most lethal offensive options in Poland. Her game in the opposing zone is the complete package, and she is not only going to be a dominating force in Polish senior leagues but outside of Poland as well. If she wants to expand her game outside of Poland, I don’t believe it would be due to a lack of options at all.

Łąpieś did play in Poland for the 2022 season staying with Gdansk and earning larger roles with national teams both at the IIHF and EWHL levels. All rankings are based on 2021 play, but it would be hard for me to write about her, and not acknowledge the fact, the proof is there in 2022 that Łąpieś is a special player. I hope her success this year is enough for a team outside of Poland to present her an offer that would get her to leave Poland. Regardless Poland already has their next top 6 forward, and potentially someone that could pass Sikorska or Pozniewska.

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_.