Stefan Csorich

In the 1930s Stefan Csorich began playing ice hockey whilst still at school in Poland but his career was put on hold with the outbreak of World War II. Csorich fought in the September Campaign and was interned in Hungary before making his way to France. He continued to fight in the 2nd Infantry Rifle Division as part of the 45th Corps of the French Army. He was interned again, this time in Switzerland, before escaping to join the war effort back in France. Csorich spent some time in in the UK, studying in Edinburgh before returning to Poland in 1946. He later received military honours from Poland, France, and Great Britain for his service.

Once back in home Csorich restarted his sporting career, playing for KTH Krynica from 1946 until 1960 and winning the Polish league title in 1950. With the national team he made 52 appearances from 1946 to 1957, scoring 34 goals. He was a key member of the team, featuring at two editions of the Olympics (1948, 1952) and three editions of the World Championships (1947, 1955, 1957). Following his playing career Csorich became a noted coach, including working with the Polish national team from 1961 to 1963.

His grandson, Marian, had a twenty year career in ice hockey playing for teams in Poland, the USA and Canada and for the Polish national team. He won three national titles with Cracovia in the nineties.