Born in Radomsko, Poland, Mariusz Czerkawski is perhaps the most successful Polish-born NHLer to date. He was also the first Polish-born player to have also been trained in the country, playing with GKS Tychy prior to being drafted by the Boston Bruins in 1991. He would spend three years after that playing in the Swedish leagues before making his debut with Boston in the 1993-94 season. The lockout-shortened 1994-95 season would be his official rookie year, one that would see him amass 12 goals and 14 assists. Midway through the 1995-96 season, he would be traded to Edmonton, where he would spend a season and a half. The New York Islanders would acquire him in 1997, and from 1997 through 2002, he would put up his best offensive numbers, topping the 30 goal mark twice. The 2002-03 season was split between Montreal and its minor league affiliate in Hamilton, ON. He returned to Long Island the following year and posted 25 goals. His last NHL season was in 2005-06, where he split time between Toronto and Boston. He would play two more seasons in the Swiss Leagues before retiring. His NHL totals included 215 goals and 220 assists; respectable numbers and good enough to be at the head of the Polish line.
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