Jason Pominville

Lore & Background

Pominville played junior hockey for the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where in his final season he amassed 121 points in 66 games and received the Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy as the league's most gentlemanly player. He was drafted 55th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2001 and spent time with their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, before earning a roster spot in the 2005–06 season. After initially being waived and clearing waivers, he was called up and scored his first NHL goal on November 27, 2005, a powerplay goal against Olaf Kölzig. He finished that season with 18 goals in 57 games.

Professional

In the 2006 playoffs, Pominville recorded a hat-trick in Game 2 of the first round against the Philadelphia Flyers. Later, he scored the series-clinching goal in the second round against the Ottawa Senators—a shorthanded effort in overtime of Game 5. This marked the first time in NHL history that a playoff series was decided by an overtime shorthanded goal.

Buffalo announcer Rick Jeanneret's call became famous: 'Oh, now do you believe? Now do you believe? These guys are good, scary good!' Pominville was named permanent Sabres captain on October 6, 2011, in Helsinki, Finland. During the 2012–13 lockout, he signed a temporary contract with German club Adler Mannheim, producing 12 points in seven games.

On April 3, 2013, Pominville was traded to the Minnesota Wild along with a 2014 fourth-round pick in exchange for Johan Larsson, Matt Hackett, a 2013 first-round pick and a 2014 second-round pick. In the 2013–14 season, he scored 30 goals and 30 assists for 60 points, leading the Wild in scoring.

He returned to Buffalo on June 30, 2017, in a trade that sent him, Marco Scandella and a 2018 fourth-round pick to the Sabres for Tyler Ennis, Marcus Foligno and a 2018 third-round pick. He played his 1,000th NHL game on November 1, 2018, recording a goal. His playing career ended after the 2018–19 season.

Reader's Guide

Jason Pominville's significance lies in his role as a consistent offensive contributor and a historic playoff performer. His shorthanded overtime goal in the 2006 playoffs remains a unique achievement in NHL history, cementing his place in league lore. He was a key part of the Buffalo Sabres' resurgence in the mid-2000s, helping the team reach the playoffs after three seasons of missing them. His leadership was recognized when he was named the 16th full-time captain of the Sabres in 2011, and he used that platform to support the You Can Play campaign, which aims to reduce homophobia in sport.

With the Minnesota Wild, he led the team in scoring during the 2013–14 season, demonstrating his ability to produce at a high level after being traded. His career spanned 1,000 NHL games, a milestone that reflects his durability and longevity. Pominville's dual Canadian-American citizenship allowed him to represent the United States internationally, which he did at the 2008 World Championships. His legacy is that of a skilled, gentlemanly player who contributed to memorable moments in playoff history and served as a respected captain.