When Communist rule ended in 1989, the Polish national team began a slow decline in international play. They reached the Olympics in 1992, the most recent time they have played there, and finished eleventh out of twelve teams. During the 1990s the first two Polish-born and trained players were selected in the NHL Entry Draft: Mariusz Czerkawski was selected in the 1991 by the Boston Bruins, and Krzysztof Oliwa in 1993 by the New Jersey Devils; Oliwa won the Stanley Cup with the Devils in 2000, the first and only Pole to do so. Poland last competed at the Elite level in 2002 World Championship, where they finished fourteenth and were relegated. Since then they have remained in Division I, but have not earned promotion back to the top level, though they have finished just outside of promotion several times. They were relegated to Division IB in 2018, the lowest they had ever played at. Tournament record Olympic Games World Championship European Championships Former Players In NHL Players who have played in the NHL and the Polish national team NHL Entry Draft Polish born players selected in the NHL Entry Draft Notable National team players Henryk Gruth – Most games played for national team (292) Andrzej Zabawa – Most goals scored (99) Leszek Laszkiewicz – 216 games played, 150 total points Other Polish-born NHL players Nick Harbaruk – Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues Frank Jerwa – Boston Bruins, St. Louis Eagles Joe Jerwa – New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, New York Americans Edward Leier – Chicago Blackhawks John Miszuk – Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota North Stars Head-to-head records The head-to-head records do not include matches against reserve, junior teams or club teams. In grey, teams of countries which no longer exist References External links IIHF profile National Teams of Ice Hockey Ice hockey in Poland National ice hockey teams in Europe Ice hockey