David James Poulin is a retired Canadian professional
ice hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
centreThe centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...
who played 13 seasons in the
National Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) with the
Philadelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
,
Boston BruinsThe Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
and
Washington CapitalsThe Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
.
Playing career
Poulin began his hockey career with the
Notre Dame Fighting IrishThe Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team at the University of Notre Dame. The team competes in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association at the NCAA Division I level.- History :...
at the
University of Notre DameThe University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
. He played with the Fighting Irish from 1978–1982 and he was named to the Second All-Star Team in 1982. His small size got him overlooked in the
NHL Entry DraftThe NHL Entry Draft is an annual meeting in which every franchise of the National Hockey League systematically select the rights to available amateur ice hockey players who meet draft eligibility requirements...
so instead he went to
SwedenSweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
to play for
Rögle BKRögle Bandyklubb is a Swedish professional ice hockey club. They currently play in HockeyAllsvenskan, the second highest league in Sweden. The team has previously played four seasons in Elitserien between 1992–93 and 1995–96 and between 2008–09 and 2009–10....
. Poulin's head coach was
Ted SatorTed Sator is an American professional ice hockey coach.-Playing career:Ted Sator played for parts of two seasons for Bowling Green State University. During the 1971–72 campaign for the NCAA team Sator played 27 games, where he tallied 5 goals and assisted on 6 others...
and Sator also happened to be a scout for the
Philadelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the
National Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. Sator was impressed with Poulin's abilities and called for him to be put on board the Flyers' roster. In
1982-83-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:Source: NHL.-Scoring leaders:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = PointsSource: NHL.-Leading goaltenders:...
, he began his NHL debut and played in two games scoring two points.
Next seasonThe 1983–84 NHL season was the 67th season of the National Hockey League. The Edmonton Oilers de-throned the four-time defending Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders four games to one in the Cup finals.-League business:...
, Poulin was put on a line with superstar
Brian ProppBrian Phillip Propp is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who played 15 seasons in the NHL from 1979 until 1994...
and
Tim KerrTimothy E. Kerr is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and Hartford Whalers.-Playing career:...
. The line became a dangerous offensive line in the NHL and he went on to set a record for most points by a Flyers rookie with 76 points. Poulin qiuckly established himself as a strong leader and a player that could play at both ends of the ice. This earned him the team's captaincy in
1983-84The 1983–84 NHL season was the 67th season of the National Hockey League. The Edmonton Oilers de-throned the four-time defending Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders four games to one in the Cup finals.-League business:...
replacing Hall of Famer
Bobby ClarkeRobert Earle Clarke, OC , better known as Bobby Clarke or, in later life, Bob Clarke, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played his entire National Hockey League career with the Philadelphia Flyers and is currently an executive with the team...
. He continued to be a strong presence offensively and defensively during his six year stay in Philadelphia. Poulin led the team all the way to the
Stanley Cup FinalsThe Stanley Cup Finals is the championship series to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, emblematic of the professional club championship of ice hockey. Although the Cup itself has existed since 1893, an annual championship series between professional teams was not established until 1913...
where they lost to the
Edmonton OilersThe Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
in seven games in
1986-87The 1987 Stanley Cup Final was played between the Edmonton Oilers and the Philadelphia Flyers. The Oilers would win the series 4–3, for their third Stanley Cup victory.-Paths to the Final:...
. He was awarded the
Frank J. Selke TrophyThe Frank J. Selke Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association following the regular season. It has been awarded 33 times to...
in
1986-87-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:Source: NHL-Scoring Leaders:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes, PPG = Powerplay Goals, SHG = Shorthanded Goals, GWG = Game Winning Goals-Leading goaltenders:...
and was named to the 1986 and 1988 NHL All-Star Games. Poulin also played at the
Rendez-vous '87Rendez-vous '87 was an international ice hockey series of games between the Soviet national ice hockey team and a team of All-Stars from the National Hockey League, held in Quebec City. It replaced the NHL's All-Star festivities for the 1986–87 NHL season...
event where he had a goal and an assist.
By
1989-90-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring Leaders:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes, PPG = Powerplay Goals, SHG = Shorthanded Goals, GWG = Game Winning Goals-Leading goaltenders:...
, Poulin's play was quickly deteriorating and he was traded to the
Boston BruinsThe Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
for
Ken LinsemanKenneth "The Rat" Linseman is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs...
. In his first season with the Bruins, Poulin and the Bruins made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers. Poulin could not beat the Oilers again and the Bruins lost in six games. He stayed with the team for three more years which saw him win the
King Clancy Memorial TrophyThe King Clancy Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community. Since the award was established in 1988, no player has won it more than...
in
1992-93-Montreal vs. Los Angeles:Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4–1. Patrick Roy wins Conn Smythe Trophy-NHL Awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:-Leading goaltenders:-Complete list of neutral-site games:The Hartford-St...
. He left the team as a free agent in 1992-93 and signed on with the
Washington CapitalsThe Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
. Poulin lasted another season and a half before retiring.
Post-playing career
Poulin spent 10 years as head hockey coach at his alma mater, the
University of Notre DameThe University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
. In 2004, Poulin was inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame. On July 23, 2009,
Toronto Maple LeafsThe Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
GM Brian Burke introduced Poulin as the club's new Vice-President of Hockey Operations.
Awards and achievements
- Selected to the CCHA
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship...
Second All-Star Team in 1982.
- Played in 1986, 1988 NHL All-Star Games.
- Frank J. Selke Trophy
The Frank J. Selke Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association following the regular season. It has been awarded 33 times to...
winner in 1987-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:Source: NHL-Scoring Leaders:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes, PPG = Powerplay Goals, SHG = Shorthanded Goals, GWG = Game Winning Goals-Leading goaltenders:...
.
- King Clancy Memorial Trophy
The King Clancy Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community. Since the award was established in 1988, no player has won it more than...
winner in 1993-Montreal vs. Los Angeles:Montreal wins best-of-seven series 4–1. Patrick Roy wins Conn Smythe Trophy-NHL Awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:-Leading goaltenders:-Complete list of neutral-site games:The Hartford-St...
.
- Inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the National Hockey League's Eastern Conference...
on February 23, 2004.
- Holds Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
record for most points in a season by a rookie (76).
Regular season and playoffs
| |
|
Regular season |
|
Playoffs |
| Season In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...
|
Team |
League |
GP |
G In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to...
|
A In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal...
|
Pts Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one...
|
PIMA penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,...
|
GP |
G |
A |
Pts |
PIM |
| 1977–78 |
Dixie Beehives----Dixie Beehives are a pair of defunct junior ice hockey teams from Weston, Ontario, which is now part of Toronto, Ontario. They played in the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League and the Central Junior B Hockey League.-Jr. A Beehives:...
|
OHA-B |
34 |
28 |
31 |
59 |
59 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| 1978–79 |
Notre Dame Fighting IrishThe Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team at the University of Notre Dame. The team competes in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association at the NCAA Division I level.- History :...
|
WCHAThe Western Collegiate Hockey Association is a college athletic conference which operates over a wide area of the Midwestern and Western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as an ice hockey-only conference....
|
37 |
28 |
31 |
59 |
32 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| 1979–80 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish |
WCHA |
24 |
19 |
24 |
43 |
46 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| 1980–81 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish |
WCHA |
35 |
13 |
22 |
35 |
53 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| 1981–82 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish |
CCHAThe Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship...
|
39 |
29 |
30 |
59 |
44 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| 1982–83 |
Rögle BK Rögle Bandyklubb is a Swedish professional ice hockey club. They currently play in HockeyAllsvenskan, the second highest league in Sweden. The team has previously played four seasons in Elitserien between 1992–93 and 1995–96 and between 2008–09 and 2009–10....
|
Swe-2 |
32 |
35 |
27 |
62 |
64 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| 1982–83 The 1982–83 AHL season was the 47th season of the American Hockey League. Thirteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season, and won their fourth Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:...
|
Maine Mariners The Maine Mariners were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Portland, Maine, USA at the Cumberland County Civic Center.-History:...
|
AHLThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
|
16 |
7 |
9 |
16 |
2 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| 1982–83 |
Philadelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
|
NHLThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
|
2 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
9 |
| 1983–84 |
Philadelphia Flyers |
NHL |
73 |
31 |
45 |
76 |
47 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
| 1984–85 |
Philadelphia Flyers |
NHL |
73 |
30 |
44 |
74 |
59 |
11 |
3 |
5 |
8 |
6 |
| 1985–86 |
Philadelphia Flyers |
NHL |
79 |
27 |
42 |
69 |
49 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
| 1986–87 |
Philadelphia Flyers |
NHL |
75 |
25 |
45 |
70 |
53 |
15 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
14 |
| 1987–88 |
Philadelphia Flyers |
NHL |
68 |
19 |
32 |
51 |
32 |
7 |
2 |
6 |
8 |
4 |
| 1988–89 |
Philadelphia Flyers |
NHL |
69 |
18 |
17 |
35 |
49 |
19 |
6 |
5 |
11 |
16 |
| 1989–90 |
Philadelphia Flyers |
NHL |
28 |
9 |
8 |
17 |
12 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| 1989–90 |
Boston BruinsThe Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
|
NHL |
32 |
6 |
19 |
25 |
12 |
18 |
8 |
5 |
13 |
8 |
| 1990–91 |
Boston Bruins |
NHL |
31 |
8 |
12 |
20 |
25 |
16 |
0 |
9 |
9 |
20 |
| 1991–92 |
Boston Bruins |
NHL |
18 |
4 |
4 |
8 |
18 |
15 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
22 |
| 1992–93 |
Boston Bruins |
NHL |
84 |
16 |
33 |
49 |
62 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
10 |
| 1993–94 |
Washington CapitalsThe Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
|
NHL |
63 |
6 |
19 |
25 |
52 |
11 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
19 |
| 1994–95 |
Washington Capitals |
NHL |
29 |
4 |
5 |
9 |
10 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| NHL totals |
724 |
205 |
325 |
530 |
482 |
129 |
31 |
42 |
73 |
132 |
International
| Year |
Team |
Event |
|
GP |
G |
A |
Pts |
PIM |
1987Rendez-vous '87 was an international ice hockey series of games between the Soviet national ice hockey team and a team of All-Stars from the National Hockey League, held in Quebec City. It replaced the NHL's All-Star festivities for the 1986–87 NHL season...
|
NHL All-Stars |
RV-87 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
| Senior int'l totals |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
All-Star Games
| Year |
Location |
|
G |
A |
P |
| 1986 The 38th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut, home to the Hartford Whalers, on February 4, 1986.-Game summary:*Referee: Ron Wicks*Linesmen: Gord Broseker, John D'Amico...
|
HartfordThe Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 1988 The 39th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in the St. Louis Arena in St. Louis, Missouri, home to the St. Louis Blues, on February 9, 1988.-Lemieux makes his mark:...
|
St. Louis |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| All-Star totals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
External links