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Tucker Poolman
American ice hockey player

Tucker Poolman (born June 8, 1993) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets.

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Playing career

Early career

Born in Iowa, Poolman grew up in East Grand Forks, Minnesota where he played for the local high school hockey team. After going undrafted in the NHL entry draft, Poolman tried out for three teams in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and United States Hockey League (USHL) before being accepted onto the NAHL's Wichita Falls Wildcats.1 In 2012, he committed to play NCAA Division 1 hockey for the University of North Dakota, his father's alma mater.2 After playing with the Wildcats for one year, he was drafted by the Omaha Lancers in the USHL.3 In his first season on the team, Poolman was named to the 2013–14 USHL First All-Star Team,4 and was presented with the Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award, as the most outstanding American-born player in junior hockey.5

Collegiate

Poolman played for the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for three seasons, leaving with a degree in economics by taking summer school classes.6 In his freshman season with the Fighting Hawks, Poolman was selected for the 2014–15 Academic All-Conference Team after earning a GPA of 3.0 or higher.7 He recorded his first collegiate goal on October 18, 2014 in a 3–1 win over the Colorado College Tigers.8 He ended the 2014–15 season one power play goal away from tying North Dakota's single-season record for a freshman defenseman.9

In his sophomore season, Poolman recorded a career-high 24 points and 19 assists, which ranked fifth among NCHC defensemen. As a result, he was named to the NCAA Midwest Region All-Tournament Team.10 In his last year on the team, Poolman recorded a breakout season with a career-high 30 points. He became the first defenseman from North Dakota to reach 30 points since 2010–11.11 During the week of March 6, he was named National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Defenseman of the Week after recording a conference-leading five points.12 After the season, Poolman was the recipient of multiple awards including AHCA/CCM All-America West First Team, All-NCHC First Team, and the inaugural NCHC Defensive Defenseman of the Year Award.13

Professional

Poolman was selected by the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the fifth round, 127th overall, of the 2013 NHL entry draft. Poolman drew comparisons with former Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien for his physical play, and ability to play both as a forward and as a defenseman.14 Having completed his junior season with the Fighting Hawks, Poolman ended his collegiate career in agreeing to a one-year, entry-level contract on March 31, 2017.15 However, he underwent reconstructive surgery on both of his shoulders and missed the rest of the rest of the season.16 He began the 2017–18 season with Winnipeg and made his NHL debut on October 9, 2017, in a 5–2 win against the Edmonton Oilers.17 He recorded his first career NHL goal on December 23, against the New York Islanders.18 He was reassigned to the Jets' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, until January 24, 2018, when he was recalled to replace an injured Shawn Matthias.19 He finished the season playing in 24 games with Winnipeg, registering one goal and two points and 17 games with Manitoba, scoring one goal and ten points.20 He made his NHL playoff debut during the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs when he replaced the injured Tyler Myers on April 17, 2018 in Game 4 of the first round series versus the Minnesota Wild.21 He played in one more playoff game that year, going scoreless.22

For the 2018–19 season, Poolman was assigned to the Manitoba Moose.23 In a November 23 game against the Iowa Wild, Poolman suffered a concussion in a collision and missed 17 games.24 Upon his return, he was used in all situations, appearing in 43 games with Manitoba, recording five goals and 25 points.2526 Poolman graduated to the NHL on a permanent basis in the 2019–20 season. He appeared in 57 games with Winnipeg, scoring four goals and 16 points, skating on the third defense pairing with Nathan Beaulieu.2728 He suffered a leg injury in January 2020, missing some time before returning in February.2930 However, the NHL suspended the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 12, 2020.31 In the pandemic-delayed 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Jets faced the Calgary Flames in the qualifying round and Poolman took a puck to the face in Game 3.32 He missed no time,33 but the Jets were eliminated in four games.34 In four playoff games, he went scoreless.35

In the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, Poolman was again a member of the Jets blueline. However, after the Jets' season opener, Poolman was diagnosed with COVID-19 in January and returned to the lineup in February.36 However, later that month, he suffered a lower body injury on February 21.37 He appeared in 39 games, registering just one assist.38 The Jets made the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs and Poolman scored his first playoff goal on May 19, 2021 against the Edmonton Oilers in their first round series.39 In eight playoff games, he registered one goal and two points as the Jets were eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round.4041

As an unrestricted free agent following four seasons within the Jets organization, Poolman was signed to a four-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks on July 28, 2021.42 He made his Canucks debut on opening night for the 2021–22 season on October 13, he was paired with Quinn Hughes in a 3–2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.4344 He registered his first point with Vancouver on October 21 assisting on Conor Garland's third period goal in a 4–1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.45 He scored his first goal with Vancouver on November 17, adding an assist as well, in a 4–2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.46 On January 27, 2022, he left a game feeling unwell and missed 26 games with headaches and migraines.47 He returned in April playing with Travis Dermott and did not finish his first game back in the lineup, leaving the game in the first period, suffering from the same symptoms.48 He finished the season appearing in 40 games, scoring one goal and three points.49 In the offseason he trained to get back in game shape50 and played in three games, notching one point, in the 2022–23 season.51 However, he left the second game on October 15 versus the Philadelphia Flyers in the first period.52 He played one more game on October 18 and has not played since due to migraine and concussion-related complications,53 and was placed on injured reserve.54

Poolman was traded to the Colorado Avalanche on October 6, 2024 along with a 2025 fourth-round draft pick for defenseman Erik Brännström.55

Personal life

Poolman was born to parents Mark and LeAnne. His father Mark was a hockey trainer for the Dubuque Fighting Saints and the University of North Dakota.56 His younger brother Colton also played for the University of North Dakota's Fighting Hawks and is currently signed with the Calgary Flames.57 Poolman is a practising Christian and previously gathered with former teammates Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey, and Adam Lowry to pray and talk.58

Career statistics

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2008–09East Grand Forks HighHSMN253472—————
2009–10East Grand Forks HighHSMN2537101020220
2010–11East Grand Forks HighHSMN23517221320000
2011–12Wichita Falls WildcatsNAHL597222929—————
2012–13Omaha LancersUSHL6414142849—————
2013–14Omaha LancersUSHL581526412341344
2014–15University of North DakotaNCHC408101816—————
2015–16University of North DakotaNCHC40519244—————
2016–17University of North DakotaNCHC387233014—————
2017–18Winnipeg JetsNHL24112020000
2017–18Manitoba MooseAHL1719104—————
2018–19Manitoba MooseAHL435202510—————
2019–20Winnipeg JetsNHL57412162440002
2020–21Winnipeg JetsNHL39011281120
2021–22Vancouver CanucksNHL4012312—————
2022–23Vancouver CanucksNHL30110—————
NHL totals1636172338141122

Awards and honours

AwardYear
USHL
First All-Star Team201459
All-Star Game2014
Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award201460
College
NCHC First All-Star Team2016–17
NCHC Best Defensive Defenseman2016–17
West First All-American Team2016–17
NCHC All-Tournament Team201761
Awards and achievements
Preceded byAward created NCHC Defensive Defenseman of the Year 2016–17Succeeded byWill Borgen

References

  1. Spector, Mark (September 10, 2017). "Tucker Poolman: From NAHL tryouts to the Winnipeg Jets". Sportsnet. Retrieved January 8, 2020. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/hard-work-paying-off-unlikely-jet-tucker-poolman/ ↩

  2. "Former East Grand Forks hockey star commits to UND". inforum.com. November 1, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2020. https://www.inforum.com/sports/3032515-former-east-grand-forks-hockey-star-commits-und ↩

  3. Wiebe, Ken (October 12, 2017). "Poolman takes long road to NHL". Winnipeg Sun. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2020. https://winnipegsun.com/2017/10/12/poolman-takes-long-road-to-nhl/wcm/6d8d42e7-3134-4673-baee-66bdc2971ed6 ↩

  4. "Kyle Connor, Matt Iacopelli named to USHL first team list". mihockeynow.com. May 1, 2014. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2015. http://mihockeynow.com/2014/05/kyle-connor-matt-iacopelli-named-to-ushl-first-team-list/ ↩

  5. "Jets prospect Poolman earns prestigious award". Winnipeg Free Press. May 23, 2014. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2015. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/nhl/jets-prospect-poolman-earns-prestigious-award-260372881.html ↩

  6. Schlossman, Brad Elliott (May 12, 2017). "All-American Tucker Poolman earns UND degree in three years". Grand Forks Herald. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2020. https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/4266231-all-american-tucker-poolman-earns-und-degree-three-years ↩

  7. "Quartet of freshmen earn academic All-NCHC honors". University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks. June 24, 2015. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2020. https://fightinghawks.com/news/2015/6/24/210166752.aspx ↩

  8. "MacMillan's big night lifts UND to series sweep". University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks. October 18, 2014. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2020. https://fightinghawks.com/news/2014/10/18/209724380.aspx ↩

  9. "Tucker Poolman". University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2020. https://fightinghawks.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/tucker-poolman/5826 ↩

  10. "Tucker Poolman". University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2020. https://fightinghawks.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/tucker-poolman/5826 ↩

  11. "Poolman, Hrynkiw capture individual NCHC honors". University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks. March 16, 2017. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2020. https://fightinghawks.com/news/2017/3/16/211522081.aspx ↩

  12. "Poolman nabs league honors after 5-point weekend". University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks. March 6, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2020. https://fightinghawks.com/news/2017/3/6/211515575.aspx ↩

  13. "Men's hockey unveils 2016-17 team award recipients". University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks. May 9, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2020. https://fightinghawks.com/news/2017/5/9/211590209.aspx ↩

  14. "Can Poolman be another Buff?". Winnipeg Free Press. March 4, 2015. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2015. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/can-poolman-be-another-buff-294963091.html ↩

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  16. Sawatzky, Mike (February 15, 2019). "Poolman making waves after injury". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2019/02/15/poolman-rounding-into-form-after-injury-layoff ↩

  17. Wiebe, Ken (October 10, 2017). "Poolman makes NHL debut for Jets". Winnipeg Sun. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2020. https://winnipegsun.com/2017/10/10/poolman-makes-nhl-debut-for-jets/wcm/659520b9-cfbf-410d-9e51-4862901d4a83 ↩

  18. Compton, Brian (December 23, 2017). "Barzal hat trick powers Islanders past Jets". NHL.com. National Hockey League. Archived from the original on February 20, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2020. https://www.nhl.com/news/winnipeg-jets-new-york-islanders-game-recap/c-294323470 ↩

  19. "Jets recall Tucker Poolman". Winnipeg Jets. January 24, 2018. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2020 – via NHL.com. https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/jets-recall-tucker-poolman/c-295255436 ↩

  20. "Tucker Poolman". hockeydb.com. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=144209 ↩

  21. Kives, Bartley (April 17, 2018). "Defenceman Tucker Poolman may play for Winnipeg Jets Tuesday night vs. Minnesota". CBC News. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/jets-wild-game-4-preview-1.4623353 ↩

  22. "Tucker Poolman". hockeydb.com. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=144209 ↩

  23. "Jets Assign Pair of Defenders to Moose". Manitoba Moose. October 2, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://moosehockey.com/news/roster-moves-oct218/ ↩

  24. Sawatzky, Mike (February 15, 2019). "Poolman making waves after injury". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2019/02/15/poolman-rounding-into-form-after-injury-layoff ↩

  25. "Tucker Poolman". hockeydb.com. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=144209 ↩

  26. Sawatzky, Mike (February 15, 2019). "Poolman making waves after injury". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2019/02/15/poolman-rounding-into-form-after-injury-layoff ↩

  27. "Tucker Poolman". hockeydb.com. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=144209 ↩

  28. Bell, Jason (July 23, 2020). "Jets D-man Poolman used to empty seats". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/2020/07/23/jets-d-man-poolman-used-to-empty-seats ↩

  29. Hobson, Russ (January 13, 2020). "Winnipeg Jets defenceman Tucker Poolman 'out for the homestand,' Bryan Little still progressing". Global News. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://globalnews.ca/news/6406742/winnipeg-jets-tucker-poolman-out-for-homestand/ ↩

  30. "Jets' Tucker Poolman: Could return soon". CBS Sports. February 7, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/jets-tucker-poolman-could-return-soon/ ↩

  31. Young, Jabari (March 12, 2020). "NHL suspends season due to coronavirus". CNBC. Retrieved October 21, 2024. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/12/nhl-to-suspend-season-due-to-coronavirus.html ↩

  32. "Jets' Poolman returns with cage after taking puck to head". Sportsnet. August 4, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/jets-tucker-poolman-leaves-game-taking-puck-head/ ↩

  33. "Jets' Poolman returns with cage after taking puck to head". Sportsnet. August 4, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/jets-tucker-poolman-leaves-game-taking-puck-head/ ↩

  34. Wiebe, Ken (August 7, 2020). "Jets' adversity-filled year ends with 'complete emptiness' after elimination". Sportsnet. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/jets-adversity-filled-year-ends-complete-emptiness-elimination/ ↩

  35. "Tucker Poolman". hockeydb.com. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=144209 ↩

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  37. "Jets place Tucker Poolman on injured reserve, recall Logan Stanley". Sportsnet. February 27, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/jets-place-tucker-poolman-injured-reserve-recall-logan-stanley/ ↩

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  40. "Tucker Poolman". hockeydb.com. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=144209 ↩

  41. Campbell, Tim (June 8, 2021). "Jets lose second round, Scheifele suspension among reasons". NHL.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.nhl.com/news/winnipeg-jets-eliminated-from-stanley-cup-playoffs-325252628 ↩

  42. "Canucks sign defenceman Tucker Poolman". Vancouver Canucks. July 28, 2021. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2021 – via NHL.com. https://www.nhl.com/canucks/news/canucks-sign-defenceman-tucker-poolman/c-325848496 ↩

  43. Tychkowski, Rich (October 13, 2021). "Game Day: Oilers and Canucks? Let's get it on". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved December 11, 2024. https://edmontonsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/edmonton-oilers/game-day-oilers-and-canucks-lets-get-it-on ↩

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  46. Woodley, Kevin (November 18, 2021). "Avalanche use power play to hand Canucks fifth loss in row". NHL.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved December 11, 2024. https://www.nhl.com/news/colorado-avalanche-vancouver-canucks-game-recap-327813064 ↩

  47. Kuzma, Ben (June 22, 2022). "Canucks Under the Microscope: Tucker Poolman". The Province. Retrieved December 11, 2024. https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/under-the-microscope-tucker-poolman ↩

  48. Kuzma, Ben (April 4, 2022). "Canucks' Tucker Poolman thrown another curve by migraines". The Province. Retrieved December 11, 2024. https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/canucks-tucker-poolman-thrown-another-curve-by-migraines ↩

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  51. "Tucker Poolman". hockeydb.com. Retrieved December 10, 2024. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=144209 ↩

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  53. "Canucks' Tucker Poolman to miss 2024-25 season". Daily Faceoff. September 18, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024. https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/canucks-tucker-poolman-to-miss-2024-25-season ↩

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  56. Beideck, Steve (January 26, 2014). "Lancers' Poolman was raised in the rink". Omaha World-Herald. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2020. https://www.omaha.com/sports/lancers-poolman-was-raised-in-the-rink/article_ed209a56-b672-5a71-a3c7-6f1d2781a0db.html ↩

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