Alfred Gansiniec

Born into a poor family, Alfred Gansiniec first played ice hockey on local frozen ponds when he was young. To help his family Gansiniec made his own hockey sticks, which he would later sell to make money to add to the tips he made as a golf caddie. He began his sporting career with Siła Giszowiec in 1934 before joining Naprzód Janów in 1937. After World War II he continued playing ice hockey with further spells at both clubs, eventually finishing his domestic career with Fortuna Wyry in 1960.

Gansiniec made 47 appearances for the Polish national ice hockey team, scoring 15 goals. He competed at the Olympics in 1948 in St. Moritz and 1952 in Oslo. In 1955 he played at the World Championships in West Germany where Poland finished seventh. He was scheduled to make a third appearance at the Olympics in 1956 but missed out due to an injury. Three years later Gansiniec coached the national team at the 1959 World Championships.