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.

2016–17 Polska Hokej Liga season
LeaguePolska Hokej Liga
SportIce hockey
DurationSept. 2016 - Apr. 2017
Number of teams11
Regular season
Regular-season winnerGKS Tychy
Top scorerMichael Cichy (Orlik Opole) (32)
Relegated to 1. LigaNesta Mires Toruń
Playoffs
Finals
ChampionsKS Cracovia
  Runners-upGKS Tychy
Polska Liga Hokejowa seasons

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 (Group B), 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)

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After 20 matches, the top 6 teams advanced to the stronger group (Group A) to determine standings before playoffs.
The bottom 5 teams advanced to the weaker group (Group B) to determine the two teams that would also advance to the playoffs, and the team that would be relegated.

Club GP W L OTW OTL GF:GA Pts
1. GKS Tychy 20 15 2 2 1 104:35 50
2. KS Cracovia 20 16 3 0 1 105:43 49
3. Podhale Nowy Targ 20 13 5 1 1 85:49 42
4. Polonia Bytom 20 10 6 3 1 55:51 37
5. GKS Jastrzębie 20 9 6 2 3 67:50 34
6. Orlik Opole 20 9 7 1 3 71:53 32
7. Unia Oświęcim 20 8 7 3 2 60:56 32
8. GKS Katowice 20 8 10 2 0 49:57 28
9. TKH Toruń 20 4 14 1 1 56:96 15
10. Stoczniowiec Gdansk 20 3 15 0 2 44:89 11
11. SMS I Sosnowiec 20 0 20 0 0 31:148 0

Regular season (second round, Group A)

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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.

Club GP W L OTW OTL GF:GA Pts
1. GKS Tychy 40 28 6 3 3 173:79 93
2. KS Cracovia 40 28 8 1 3 179:99 89
3. Podhale Nowy Targ 40 20 14 4 2 149:120 70
4. Polonia Bytom 40 16 15 7 2 106:101 64
5. Orlik Opole 40 16 15 2 7 122:110 59
6. GKS Jastrzębie 40 12 19 4 5 113:127 49

Regular season (second round, Group B)

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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.

Club GP W L OTW OTL GF:GA Pts
7. Unia Oświęcim 36 20 10 4 2 142:94 70
8. GKS Katowice 36 17 13 2 4 108:98 59
9. TKH Toruń 36 10 19 6 1 146:155 43
10. Stoczniowiec Gdansk 36 10 23 0 3 116:139 33
11. SMS I Sosnowiec 36 0 35 0 1 52:284 1

Relegation Round

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The bottom two teams from Group B (excluding SMS I Sosnowiec, who can not be relegated), 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

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Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
 
 
 
1. GKS Tychy4
 
 
 
8. GKS Katowice0
 
1. GKS Tychy4
 
 
 
5. Polonia Bytom0
 
4. Polonia Bytom4
 
 
 
5. Orlik Opole1
 
2. KS Cracovia4
 
 
 
1. GKS Tychy3
 
2. KS Cracovia4
 
 
 
7. Unia Oświęcim1
 
2. KS Cracovia4
 
 
 
3. Podhale Nowy Targ0 Third place
 
3. Podhale Nowy Targ4
 
 
 
6. GKS Jastrzębie1
 
4. Polonia Bytom2
 
 
3. Podhale Nowy Targ0
 
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