2016–17 Polska Hokej Liga season


The 2016–17 Polska Hokej Liga season was the 82nd season of the Polska Hokej Liga, the top level of ice hockey in Poland. Eleven teams participated in the league. Two teams returned to the league: GKS Katowice returned after a year of inactivity, and Stoczniowiec Gdańsk was promoted from the Polish 1. Liga. Due to financial constraints, KH Zagłębie Sosnowiec, Naprzód Janów, and STS Sanok did not return to the league. Sosnowiec and Janów dropped down to the Polish 1. Liga, while Sanok suspended operations altogether.
The regular season format remained the same as the previous season, but with 11 teams rather than 12. The First Round had teams playing 20 matches, after which GKS Tychy led the league with 50 points.
The league was then divided into two groups for the Second Round: Group A, consisting of the top 6 teams, and Group B, consisting of the bottom 5 teams. GKS Tychy remained at the top of Group A, finishing the regular season with 93 points. From the weaker group, Unia Oswiecim and GKS Katowice advanced to the playoffs.
KS Cracovia won the playoff championship, beating GKS Tychy. Polonia Bytom won the bronze medal game, rounding out the top three.

Regular season (First Round)

After 20 matches, the top 6 teams advanced to the stronger group to determine standings before playoffs.
The bottom 5 teams advanced to the weaker group to determine the two teams that would also advance to the playoffs, and the team that would be relegated.
ClubGPWLOTWOTLGF:GAPts
1.GKS Tychy2015221104:3550
2.KS Cracovia2016301105:4349
3.Podhale Nowy Targ201351185:4942
4.Polonia Bytom201063155:5137
5.GKS Jastrzębie20962367:5034
6.Orlik Opole20971371:5332
7.Unia Oświęcim20873260:5632
8.GKS Katowice208102049:5728
9.TKH Toruń204141156:9615
10.Stoczniowiec Gdansk203150244:8911
11.SMS I Sosnowiec200200031:1480

Regular season (Second Round, Group A)

The top 6 teams from the First Round were put in this group to determine the standings before the playoffs. Results from the Second Round are added to results from the First Round.
ClubGPWLOTWOTLGF:GAPts
1.GKS Tychy4028633173:7993
2.KS Cracovia4028813179:9989
3.Podhale Nowy Targ40201442149:12070
4.Polonia Bytom40161572106:10164
5.Orlik Opole40161527122:11059
6.GKS Jastrzębie40121945113:12749

Regular season (Second Round, Group B)

The bottom 6 teams from the First Round were put in this group to determine the standings before the playoffs. Results from the Second Round are added to results from the First Round.
The top two teams advanced to the Playoffs. The remaining teams, excluding SMS I Sosnowiec, were moved to the relegation round. SMS I Sosnowiec, an under-20 team, is not eligible to be relegated.
ClubGPWLOTWOTLGF:GAPts
7.Unia Oświęcim36201042142:9470
8.GKS Katowice36171324108:9859
9.TKH Toruń36101961146:15543
10.Stoczniowiec Gdansk36102303116:13933
11.SMS I Sosnowiec360350152:2841

Relegation Round

The bottom two teams from Group B, face each other to determine who stays in the league and who will be relegated. Stoczniowiec Gdansk won the best-of-four series 4-2, against TKH Toruń. As a result, Torun was relegated.

Playoffs