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| Dave Poulin in his time as captain of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1980s. Source: https://icehockey.fandom.com/wiki/Dave_Poulin (May be subject to copyright) |
They were a gritty team with some skill players and outstanding goaltending.
However, at the heart of it all was their captain.
Dave Poulin was the epitome of leadership. He won the key face offs, tied up opposing players before they could score, made hits at crucial times, and scored clutch goals.
In fact, after scoring a key goal, a friend of mine once called Poulin “Mr. Clutch”.
I cannot think of a better name.
Now, he is best known on TV for his commentary and expert analysis.
For me, he will always be “Mr. Clutch”.
In the beginning
It was not an easy start for Dave Poulin. He went undrafted by the NHL, and enrolled at the University of Notre Dame to play for the Fighting Irish from 1978 to 1982, earning a second all-star team selection in 1982.
It was not an easy start for Dave Poulin. He went undrafted by the NHL, and enrolled at the University of Notre Dame to play for the Fighting Irish from 1978 to 1982, earning a second all-star team selection in 1982.
Following his college career, he went to play in Sweden where his coach was Ted Sator. He was also a scout with the Philadelphia Flyers and put them on to Poulin.
In the 1982-1983 season, after splitting time with his Swedish club and, after a brief stint of 16 games with the Maine Mariners of the American Hockey League, Poulin joined the Flyers.
He played two games for Philadelphia that season, but scored two goals in his NHL debut at Maple Leaf Gardens. He also got his first ever NHL penalty in that game.
Both were signs of things to come.
Full time, first line
Poulin was put on a line with Brian Propp and Tim Kerr in the 1983-1984 season, which was his actual rookie year. He set a team rookie record for 76 points, with 31 goals and 45 assists for 76 points.
Poulin was put on a line with Brian Propp and Tim Kerr in the 1983-1984 season, which was his actual rookie year. He set a team rookie record for 76 points, with 31 goals and 45 assists for 76 points.
On the eve of the 1984-1985 season, Poulin was named team captain, replacing Bobby Clarke. Darryl Sittler had been tagged to be the next captain, but was traded the day he was to become captain.
The new Flyer captain not only recorded 74 points, on 30 goals and 44 assists, but he led his team to the Stanley Cup final where they lost in five games to the Edmonton Oilers. He was hobbled by knee and rib injuries, but continued to show how tough and resilient he was. In Game 6 of the Wales Conference final against Quebec, Poulin scored a short-handed goal when his team was down two men to help eliminate the Nordiques.
In the 1985-1986 season, Poulin had 27 goals and 42 assists for 69 points. He was also named to the 1986 all-star game.
The next year, 1986-1987, he led the Flyers back to the Stanley Cup final and a re-match with the Oilers. In the regular season, he recorded 70 points on 25 goals and 45 assists. During the playoffs, broken ribs limited his playing time, but he continued to build his reputation as Mr. Clutch. He scored the series clinching goal against the New York Islanders in the Patrick Division final. Then, he scored the series clinching goal in the Wales Conference Final at the Montreal Forum, to eliminate the Canadiens.
After the season, Poulin was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy for the best defensive forward, thus solidifying his reputation as a solid two-way player. He also played for the NHL in Rendez-vous ’87, which replaced the NHL all-star game that year. It was a two-game series of NHL stars versus a team of Soviet all-stars. Poulin scored the game winner for the NHL all-stars late in the third period of the first game.
The Flyers would not reach that level of success again in Poulin’s time there.
The rest of the decade
In the 1987-1988 season, Poulin was selected to the NHL all-star game again in 1988. He recorded 19 goals and 32 assists for 51 points in 68 games, the fewest he played to date in a full NHL season.
In the 1987-1988 season, Poulin was selected to the NHL all-star game again in 1988. He recorded 19 goals and 32 assists for 51 points in 68 games, the fewest he played to date in a full NHL season.
1988-1989 was Poulin’s last full season with the Flyers, leading them back to the Wales Conference final where they lost to Montreal. Poulin finished the regular season with 18 goals and 17 assists for 35 points.
He opened the 1989-1990 season with nine goals and eight assists for 17 points in 28 games for the Flyers. Injuries affected his play, he was stripped of the captaincy, and a month later was dealt to my beloved Boston Bruins, for Ken Linseman.
It was the perfect match. Poulin’s gritty play fit the Bruin style perfectly.
He recorded six goals and 19 assists for 25 points in 32 games, helping the Bruins to the Stanley Cup final where they lost to – the Edmonton Oilers.
The years after
Poulin played three more seasons for the Bruins, winning the King Clancy Memorial Trophy at the end of the 1992-1993 season. It is awarded to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community. He was also runner-up for the Selke Trophy. Poulin signed as a free agent with Washington, playing two years there and retiring after the 1994-1995 season.
Poulin played three more seasons for the Bruins, winning the King Clancy Memorial Trophy at the end of the 1992-1993 season. It is awarded to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community. He was also runner-up for the Selke Trophy. Poulin signed as a free agent with Washington, playing two years there and retiring after the 1994-1995 season.
He finished his career with 205 goals and 325 assists for 530 points in 724 games. He also appeared in 129 playoff games, recording 31 goals and 42 assists for 73 points.
Parting thoughts
It is fitting that near the end of his career, Dave Poulin won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his leadership skills, because he was a tremendous leader virtually from the time he entered the league.
It is fitting that near the end of his career, Dave Poulin won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his leadership skills, because he was a tremendous leader virtually from the time he entered the league.
He led by example, winning key face-offs, playing solid defence, taking the man, fighting when he had to, and of course scoring clutch goals. He was a true leader, and he has brought all that experience to the broadcast booth.
As I was typing this entry, Dave Poulin appeared in front of me on Sportscentre, and he was talking about the importance of blocked shots.
What else would you expect from Mr. Clutch.
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