David Poile spent more than 40 seasons running NHL franchises off the ice as a general manager, including 25 in that capacity with the Nashville Predators.
On Nov. 22, Poile will be on the ice at Bridgestone Arena as part of the franchise’s celebration of the league’s all-time winningest GM. The honor will occur before the Predators’ game against the Calgary Flames.
Poile, the Predators’ first general manager, retired July 1 after more than 50 years in the NHL. He announced his retirement and the hiring of his replacement, Barry Trotz, in late February.
“No one has done more for hockey in our city and helped turn ‘Smashville’ into what it is today than David Poile, and we can’t wait to appropriately thank, recognize and celebrate him for all he’s done in the past 25-plus years alongside the best fans in sports in November,” Predators CEO Sean Henry said in a statement released by the team Thursday afteroon.
“His contributions to the game and our franchise go beyond his place in the NHL’s record books. While he continues to dedicate his time to the Predators as a senior advisor, we’re excited to pay tribute to him and his legacy in this special way.”
Poile spent 41 consecutive seasons as a GM in the league, the longest such run in NHL history. His teams compiled a 1,533-1,172-(192)-178 record during that span. Poile was named NHL General Manager of the Year in 2017, when the Predators reached the Stanley Cup Final for only time in franchise history.
He also spent 15 seasons as GM of the Washington Capitals.
Poile was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018 and was GM of the U.S. men’s Olympic team in 2014.
CLOCKING OUT: How will David Poile’s Predators legacy be remembered? His final days gave me a glimpse
HIS BETTER HALF: As Predators’ David Poile braces for retirement, his wife reveals their love story
LAST HURRAH: How former Predators star sent retiring GM David Poile out with standing ovation at NHL Draft
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Predators will honor former GM David Poile at Bridgestone
