Dave Poulin is a former professional ice hockey player who had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL) and international competitions. Poulin was born on December 17, 1958, in Timmins, Ontario, Canada, and grew up playing hockey in his hometown. He played for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in college and was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1982.
Poulin made his NHL debut with the Flyers in the 1983-84 season and quickly established himself as a reliable center and team leader. He was named the team's captain in 1984 and held the position for five seasons. Poulin was known for his strong defensive play, penalty-killing skills, and ability to win faceoffs. He was also a consistent scorer, with a career-high of 31 goals in the 1984-85 season.
In addition to his success with the Flyers, Poulin represented Canada in several international competitions. He played in the 1984 Canada Cup, where he helped Canada win the championship, and the 1987 World Championships, where he was named the tournament's best forward. Poulin also played in the 1992 Winter Olympics, where he served as Canada's captain and helped the team win a silver medal.
After leaving the Flyers in 1991, Poulin played for the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals before retiring in 1995. He finished his NHL career with 205 goals and 418 assists in 724 games. Poulin was known for his leadership and work ethic, and he was respected by teammates and opponents alike.
Following his playing career, Poulin worked as a television analyst for NHL games and served as the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 1995 to 2005. He also worked as a scout and executive for several NHL teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Arizona Coyotes.
In recognition of his contributions to hockey, Poulin was inducted into the Notre Dame Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Philadelphia Flyers Hall of Fame in 2015. He was also named to the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 2010.
Overall, Dave Poulin had a successful hockey career that spanned over a decade. He was a skilled player and a respected leader who represented Canada with pride and helped his teams achieve success on the ice.
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