Dave Poulin

Lore & Background

Poulin went undrafted and played college hockey at the University of Notre Dame from 1978 to 1982, earning Second All-Star Team honours in 1982. After a season in Sweden with Rögle BK, he was scouted by Ted Sator and joined the Philadelphia Flyers organization. He made his NHL debut on the second-last day of the 1982–83 season, scoring two goals in a 6–3 win at Maple Leaf Gardens. In his first full season, he set a Flyers rookie record with 76 points while playing on a line with Brian Propp and Tim Kerr. He was named team captain before the 1984–85 season, replacing Bobby Clarke. Poulin helped the Flyers reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 1985 and 1987, losing both times to the Edmonton Oilers. He scored a memorable two-man disadvantage short-handed goal in Game 6 of the 1985 Wales Conference Finals against the Quebec Nordiques. He was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 1986–87 and played in the NHL All-Star Games in 1986 and 1988, as well as the Rendez-vous '87 event where he scored the game-winner in Game 1. After being stripped of the captaincy in 1989–90, he was traded to the Boston Bruins for Ken Linseman. With Boston, he reached the Stanley Cup Finals again in 1990–91, losing to Edmonton in five games. He won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 1992–93 and finished runner-up for the Selke that same season. He left Boston as a free agent and signed with the Washington Capitals, playing another season-and-a-half before retiring.

Reader's Guide

Dave Poulin's career is notable for its arc from undrafted college player to NHL captain and Selke Trophy winner, and later to front-office executive. His 76-point rookie season set a Flyers record that has since been surpassed, and his leadership was recognized when he replaced Bobby Clarke as captain. He was a key two-way forward on Flyers teams that reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice, and his short-handed goal on a two-man disadvantage against Quebec is a memorable playoff moment. After his playing career, Poulin spent 10 years as head hockey coach at Notre Dame, his alma mater, and was inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame in 2004. He later served as Assistant General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs and general manager of the Toronto Marlies before being fired in 2014. He then worked as a hockey analyst for TSN and a freelance contributor to the Toronto Star. In December 2023, he was hired as Senior Vice-President, Hockey Operations for the Ottawa Senators, continuing his executive career. His path from undrafted player to NHL executive illustrates the value of versatility and leadership in hockey.

Did You Know?

• Poulin went undrafted in the NHL entry draft and played college hockey at the University of Notre Dame.
• He set a Flyers rookie record with 76 points in his first full NHL season.
• He won the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 1986–87 as the NHL's best defensive forward.