Tag: Vanessa Patla

Womens Hockey

2021 Top 30 Women’s U20 Players. #15-11

After more delays, we are now into the top half of the rankings with our best 15 players. Some players in the top 15 definitely benefit from their reputation as their amount of games was limited. The next five players are a mix of players that have made big strides or taken a big fall in our rankings, along with one defender that continues to just miss out on making the top ten. We will also see our top-ranked goalie, a spot that was up for grabs after Sass aged out of the list. 

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 20-16

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

15 – Katarzyna Zaborska (D), 19, Unia Oswiecim, (27, +12)

We finished the last article with two straight Oscwiecim players and open the list with one to make it three straight. Zaborska makes her biggest jump up the list in her final year in the rankings. The almost veteran of the PLHK at this point had a great season in the PLHK. The biggest reason for her large jump was she became a full-time member of Metropolis Katowice in the EWHL, playing 13 games. Zaborska was one of two U20 players to play in the EWHL for Poland this year. Clearly a sign of what the management and coaching staff think of her. She is definitely one to watch for senior national team games soon. 

14 – Karolina Baran, (F), 19, KS Cracovia 1906 (9, -5)

Baran drops in her final year on the list. The talented forward remains a big part of Poland’s future. This drop was more about a couple of new players receiving huge debut rankings versus her own play. The Debica native posted 25 points (13G-12A-25PTS) in 16 games, down two points from her 2020 total. Her regular season 20 points were tied for fourth in the PLHK B. I would imagine Baran has a chance to start vying for national team spots soon, but no chances have come in the EWHL. 

Baran goal vs. Oswiecim

13 – Alicja Kobus, (F), 17, PTH Kozice Poznan (18, +5)

Kobus climb up the rankings after posting 17 points in 12 regular-season games, and this was up from her last season in the PLHK A. Her 17 ponts were also sixth among all skaters in the PLHK B. Kobus would have made her third appearance for the U18 squad in 2021 if not for Covid. Kobus has performed exceptionally well at the B level but not as strong against Poland’s top teams, that should change as she continues to gain more experience. 

Kobus drop pass assist vs. Latvia

12 – Helena Grzybowska (G), 19, PTH Kozice Poznan (12, +6)

Grzybowska took a large fall in the rankings and only didn’t fall further due to it being a covid season. A break-out year in 2020 saw success in the EWHL, PLHK, Slovakia’s top league, and, of course, on the international stage. It was the kind of performance that raised the question of Poland possibly having a lethal duo with Sass and Grzybowska. In 2021 though, Grzybowska only played in four games. The Poznan native posted a .760% save percentage in her lone regular-season appearance but did appear in form with a .906% save percentage in her three playoff appearances.

11 – Vanessa Patla (D), 19, Polonia Bytom (11, +0)

Patla stays consistent in her final ranking. A rise in the ranking would have happened if not for a big jumper. The Polonia Bytom two-way defender posted a new career-high in points after recording five goals and three assists in 15 games. Patla appeared in the EWHL during the 2020 season but did not make any appearances for the team in 2021. The soon-to-be 20-year-old is already a three-time PLHK champion.

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Womens Hockey

2020 Top 30 Women’s U20 Players. #14-10

While this is not the time when I initially wanted to start this list, as I was hoping to have the Women’s World Championships to help distinguish some players at the top of the list. The coronavirus outbreak has effectively canceled or postponed all tournaments for the year.

This really is a bummer for Polish hockey with the amount of young talent they have at their disposal. It definitely seemed liked Poland had a chance to earn promotion at this year’s senior world championship. Women’s hockey in Poland is vastly on the rise with more players each year and a quick ability to develop players that are able to compete outside of Poland in stronger leagues. The talent pool has evolved so quickly that we have doubled our list size from last year. There is still a tremendous amount of work to be done, but the future is bright. Today we continue our 2020 ranking of the top 30 U20 Women’s players in Poland.

A player has to be 20 or younger on March 13th, 2020. There is no minimum age to make the list. Players are judged based on a combination of career history, current play, and potential.

Players #30-20

Players #19-15

Rank – Player Name (Position), Age During Next Hockey Season, Team (Ranking in 2019, change in ranking)

14 – Malgorzata Synowiec (F), 20, KS Cracovia 1906, (Unranked)

Synowiec has steadily continued to improve her game. She appears to be on the brink of making her senior IIHF national team debut, as she has played two games with the Silesia Brackens and played in a couple non-IIHF games for the senior team. This year Snyowiec did not appear in the PLHK A, and instead went to the B league to play for Cracovia. There she had 26 points (18-8-26) in 8 games. This was third in the league for points, and the top in points per game. She is also an accomplished ice cross athlete.

13 – Ida Talanda (RW), 17, KH Polonia Bytom, (15, +2)

The first player rise in our ranking this year is Ida Talanda. Talanda made her senior debut in the PLHK A this year and put up a very promising rookie year. She recorded 15 points (6-9-15) in 16 games. That is top 20 in the league. That performance helped Polonia Bytom to their first-place finish. At the U18s, she showed a lot of promise as well and recorded three shots. She will be a key part of the U18 squad next year.

12 – Alicja Siejka (F), 20, GKS Stoczniowiec Gdańsk, (13, +1)

Siejka was a standout for Poland at the 2018 U18s leading the team in points. She followed that up with her senior IIHF debut and posted a career year in the PLHK A. This year she improved on that year again for Gdańsk, recording 26 points (14-12-15) in 16 games. She also appeared in two games for the Silesia Brackens. Siejka is a key forward that should help strengthen Poland’s forward group.

11 – Vanessa Patla (D), 18, KH Polonia Bytom, (Unranked)

Patla was one of the best defensemen for Poland at the U18s. She recorded one goal on eight shots. Patla also had a solid year for Polonia Bytom recording 1 goal and 5 assists in 18 games. The promising defensemen also got one game in the Elite Women’s Hockey League. She was impressive at both ends of the ice this season. Poland already had a few solid defensemen and prospects like Patla further show how strong this group is becoming.

10 – Maja Błaszków (F), 17, KH Polonia Bytom, (11, +1)

Błaszków was named to her third straight U18 squad. In five games, she recorded one goal on eight shots. She continues her steady improvement and is easily one of the top forwards under 18 forwards for Poland. Her jumps have not mirrored many of her counterparts in size. While many players have grown so quickly they have been able to achieve great success at the senior level, Błaszków only played two senior games in the PLHK A. She remains a strong and dangerous forward.

Players #9-7

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