Leszek Laszkiewicz is the 2025 winner of the Richard “Bibi” Torriani Award.
photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation / Andre Ringuette
In May, Leszek Laszkiewicz took the stage at the Stockholm Waterfront congress center, during the IIHF Hall of Fame ceremonies, to accept the Richard “Bibi” Torriani Award, given to recognize a player “for outstanding contributions to the national team in IIHF competition".
Laszkiewicz certainly ticks all the boxes.
He wore the Poland national team sweater in 216 games, starred in the domestic league for 19 years, and when he retired as an eight-time Polish champion, he was the league’s all-time leader in goals, assists, and, obviously, points. In his final international game at the Division 1A IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships in 2015, he was named Best Player.
His 96 world championship games rank him second all-time in Poland, behind only Henryk Gruth, the first Polish player to be inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame, in 2006.
“Playing for clubs gave me joy but it was the national team that gave me pride and extra energy. The emotion during the games raised my adrenaline and brought me happiness,” Laszkiewicz said in his acceptance speech.
“Through ice hockey I was able to express my character and bravery of a Polish hockey player. Of course, there were ups and downs, sweat and tears, but also happy endings. These are emotions I wouldn’t trade for anything,” he went on.
As player, Laszkiewicz was famous for his iron will, something he credits his tough childhood for.
“Mom stood in one line for meat, I in another line for coffee, and my brother in the third for sugar. Everything was rationed. You went to the rink with the key to the apartment hanging around your neck,” he told Jastrzebianie.pl in June.
“Since we practiced outdoors, we only got on the ice at the end of September. We trained in the rain, and leaves were constantly falling from the surrounding trees onto the ice. I’m convinced that such conditions shape strong characters,” Laszkiewicz added.
He dedicated the award to his mother whose funeral he was attending when IIHF President Luc Tardif informed him of the award.
“It’s sad that she missed this moment, but I know she’d be incredibly proud of me,” Laszkiewicz said on the stage.
He’s had a front-row seat to all of Polish hockey’s ups and downs in the 21st century. Not only did he make his national team debut in 1998 in the Pool B world championships, but he was also a member of the 2001 team that earned promotion to the top division. Coincidentally, the 2002 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship was played in Sweden.
Poland got relegated and it took them 22 years to be back. By then, Laszkiewicz had retired as a player, but in 2024, he was the GM of the team that returned to the top division in Czechia. Unfortunately for him and Team Poland, they returned to Division 1, but Laszkiewicz is doing everything he can to make sure the stay is temporary.
“I’m honored to represent a country that is still fighting for its place on the hockey map. I’m grateful to be noticed and to be able to stand before you today,” he said.
“I’m also proud to have been a part of the Polish national team that played in the top division world championships last year and I hope we won’t have to wait another 22 years to be back among the top teams in the world,” said Laszkiewicz who scored 81 points in his 96 World Championship games.
In 2018, he scored 48 points in 37 games for JKH GKS Jastrzebie, then retired as a player and took a position upstairs, as the GM of the club.
“My entire life has been full of ice hockey and love of the game. Hockey has influenced my life choices, and it’s also allowed me to discover different countries and cultures and experience the unique atmosphere of the game around the world,” he said.
“I’m truly happy that after finishing my career on the ice, I can continue working in hockey for my native club and my national team. Being part of a club and supporting the development of players gives me a chance to witness the spark in their eyes and their passion for ice hockey,” Laszkiewicz concluded.
Laszkiewicz certainly ticks all the boxes.
He wore the Poland national team sweater in 216 games, starred in the domestic league for 19 years, and when he retired as an eight-time Polish champion, he was the league’s all-time leader in goals, assists, and, obviously, points. In his final international game at the Division 1A IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships in 2015, he was named Best Player.
His 96 world championship games rank him second all-time in Poland, behind only Henryk Gruth, the first Polish player to be inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame, in 2006.
“Playing for clubs gave me joy but it was the national team that gave me pride and extra energy. The emotion during the games raised my adrenaline and brought me happiness,” Laszkiewicz said in his acceptance speech.
“Through ice hockey I was able to express my character and bravery of a Polish hockey player. Of course, there were ups and downs, sweat and tears, but also happy endings. These are emotions I wouldn’t trade for anything,” he went on.
As player, Laszkiewicz was famous for his iron will, something he credits his tough childhood for.
“Mom stood in one line for meat, I in another line for coffee, and my brother in the third for sugar. Everything was rationed. You went to the rink with the key to the apartment hanging around your neck,” he told Jastrzebianie.pl in June.
“Since we practiced outdoors, we only got on the ice at the end of September. We trained in the rain, and leaves were constantly falling from the surrounding trees onto the ice. I’m convinced that such conditions shape strong characters,” Laszkiewicz added.
He dedicated the award to his mother whose funeral he was attending when IIHF President Luc Tardif informed him of the award.
“It’s sad that she missed this moment, but I know she’d be incredibly proud of me,” Laszkiewicz said on the stage.
He’s had a front-row seat to all of Polish hockey’s ups and downs in the 21st century. Not only did he make his national team debut in 1998 in the Pool B world championships, but he was also a member of the 2001 team that earned promotion to the top division. Coincidentally, the 2002 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship was played in Sweden.
Poland got relegated and it took them 22 years to be back. By then, Laszkiewicz had retired as a player, but in 2024, he was the GM of the team that returned to the top division in Czechia. Unfortunately for him and Team Poland, they returned to Division 1, but Laszkiewicz is doing everything he can to make sure the stay is temporary.
“I’m honored to represent a country that is still fighting for its place on the hockey map. I’m grateful to be noticed and to be able to stand before you today,” he said.
“I’m also proud to have been a part of the Polish national team that played in the top division world championships last year and I hope we won’t have to wait another 22 years to be back among the top teams in the world,” said Laszkiewicz who scored 81 points in his 96 World Championship games.
In 2018, he scored 48 points in 37 games for JKH GKS Jastrzebie, then retired as a player and took a position upstairs, as the GM of the club.
“My entire life has been full of ice hockey and love of the game. Hockey has influenced my life choices, and it’s also allowed me to discover different countries and cultures and experience the unique atmosphere of the game around the world,” he said.
“I’m truly happy that after finishing my career on the ice, I can continue working in hockey for my native club and my national team. Being part of a club and supporting the development of players gives me a chance to witness the spark in their eyes and their passion for ice hockey,” Laszkiewicz concluded.