LODZ, Poland – Former Polish national team player Kazimierz Chodakowski passed away on Saturday in Lodz at the age of 88. He was one of the country’s top defencemen in the 1950s when the country was ranked sixth to eighth in most of the events.

During this time Chodakowski participated in the 1952 and 1956 Olympic Winter Games as well as in four IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships (1955, 1957-59). He was famous at that time for his body-checking abilities and had a strong shot. In 43 IIHF-sanctioned games he scored seven goals for the Polish national team. Including exhibition games he represented Poland in 84 games and scored 14 goals.

In domestic play he appeared in the top Polish league for his hometown team LKS Lodz, CWKS Warsaw and Legia Warsaw and won seven Polish championships. After ending his career as a player he remained with LKS Lodz on the coaching staff. His son Andrzej also played for the club.