Derrick Pouliot

Derrick Pouliot (born January 16, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing under contract for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). He had previously played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks. Pouliot was selected eighth overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Penguins.

Derrick Pouliot
Pouliot with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016
Born (1994-01-16) January 16, 1994
Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 208 lb (94 kg; 14 st 12 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 St. Louis Blues
Pittsburgh Penguins
Vancouver Canucks
NHL Draft 8th overall, 2012
Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career 2013–present

Playing career

Midget

Pouliot made his appearance at the midget level for the Moose Jaw Warriors Midget AAA of the SMAAAHL in 2008–09 with a short, five-game stint,[1] though he still qualified to play in bantam at the time. A highly regarded prospect, Pouliot was selected with the first overall pick in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft by the Portland Winterhawks,[2] who placed him on their protected list. Pouliot then rejoined Moose Jaw for the full season in 2009–10, finishing as a point-per-game player (14 goals and 29 assists).[3] Pouliot finished fourth on his team in scoring and as the top-scoring defenceman. During the course of the season, Pouliot found time to play for the Winterhawks, first in January and again after the Warriors were eliminated,[4] recording a single assist in seven games, as he played against players who were three to four years his senior.

Major junior

2010–11

Pouliot joined the Winterhawks for the 2010–11 season. On a team laden with talent (2010 fourth- and fifth-overall picks Ryan Johansen and Nino Niederreiter, along with future first-round picks in 2011 Sven Bärtschi and Joe Morrow), Pouliot played the majority of the season and finished with 30 points in 66 games.[5] During the season, Pouliot was invited to play for Canada-West at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, finishing with three assists in five games as Canada-West lost in the fifth-place game to Canada-Atlantic.[6] Portland finished the regular season with 103 points in the standings, finishing one point ahead of U.S. Division rival Spokane to clinch the top spot in the Western Conference.[7]

Pouliot with the Winterhawks in 2010.

In an opening-round sweep of the Everett Silvertips, Pouliot scored a goal in the 7–2 Game 2 rout, his only point of the series. Following a win in the conference semifinals against the B.C. Division champion Kelowna Rockets, the Winterhawks lost 4–1 to the Kootenay Ice. Pouliot posted an assist in each of Portland's first two games in the series, including a helper on Ty Rattie's overtime power play game-winner in Game 1. While Portland had a successful playoffs, Pouliot's 4 points in 21 games were considered disappointing after a regular season in which he had averaged a half-point per game. Over the summer, Pouliot was a member of Canada's gold-medal team at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.

2011–12

Pouliot entered his draft year with a four-assist night in only his second game of the season[8] and while his output dipped as the season went along, he was performing much better in his second full season with the Winterhawks. Despite being omitted from Canada's roster for the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, Pouliot was listed in the top-ten of North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in the mid-season rankings, though once again not as the top defenceman.[9] Pouliot finished the season with 59 points, almost doubling his output from the season before, while playing in all 72 of Portland's games. The Winterhawks again had a stellar season, ending up as the most prolific offensive team in the WHL, due in part to Pouliot's scoring prowess.

Portland swept their opening round playoff series against the Kelowna Rockets, in which Pouliot produced two assists, and defeated the Kamloops Blazers to move on to the conference finals against the Tri-City Americans, a match-up which pitted the top offensive and defensive teams in the WHL against one another. In another four-game sweep of the Americans, Pouliot put up a 4-assist performance in Game 2, assisting on each of the Winterhawks' goals except the overtime game-winner.[10] In their second consecutive finals appearance, the Winterhawks were matched up against the Edmonton Oil Kings, who finished the regular season with the best record in the WHL. Portland lost the series in seven games, and Pouliot, who had been effective in the first five games of the series, was silent in the last two, including being on the ice for two of Edmonton's goals in Game 7.[11]

Despite the outcome, Pouliot produced 17 points in 22 games during the playoffs. The final Central Scouting rankings placed him as the 12th-ranked North American skater.[12] The draft host Pittsburgh Penguins selected Pouliot with the eighth overall selection, which they had obtained from the Carolina Hurricanes in the Jordan Staal trade[13] when Pittsburgh had their own first-round selection at 22nd overall (Olli Määttä).[14] Less than one week later, Pouliot was invited to Canada's National Development Camp,[15] the first stepping stone in joining the 2013 WJC roster. A few months later, Pouliot signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Pittsburgh[16] just a few days before the 2012–13 NHL lockout was to begin.[17]

2012–13

With the departure of fellow Penguins draft pick Joe Morrow to the American Hockey League (AHL), Pouliot became the Winterhawks' star offensive defenceman and immediately rose to the challenge. Pouliot took charge of the power play and increased his scoring. By the end of November, Pouliot had posted 24 points in 26 games, including five- and six-game point streaks, earning him an invitation to Canada's World Junior Championship selection camp alongside fellow Penguins prospect Scott Harrington.[18] However, after the second day of the camp, Pouliot was returned to Portland.[19] Upon his return to the WHL, Pouliot immediately produced a three-assist game and finished with 12 points in the month of December.

In the third game back in January, Pouliot suffered a high ankle sprain (unreported at the time) and would miss time intermittently over the next few months.[20] Nevertheless, he finished the regular season with 45 points in 44 games. Portland finished with the best record in the WHL (57–12–1–2) along with the top offence in the league and the best defence in the conference.[21] In a five-game opening series win over the Everett Silvertips, Pouliot finished with nine points[22] (six coming on the power play) as well as assisting on the game-winner in the deciding match.[23]

In a second round sweep of the Spokane Chiefs, the Winterhawks scored 18 goals and allowed only 3, and Pouliot recorded a four-point night in the opening match.[24] A win over the Kamloops Blazers in the conference finals propelled the Winterhawks into the WHL finals for the third straight season. Portland won in six games, during which Pouliot posted four assists, finishing the playoffs with 20 points in 21 games to lead all defencemen in playoff scoring.[25]

Despite a disappointing loss to the Halifax Mooseheads in the Memorial Cup Final, Pouliot's seven points led all defencemen for the tournament.[26] After the Winterhawks finished for the season, Pouliot joined the Pittsburgh Penguins' AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, for their last game of the 2013 Calder Cup playoffs.

2013–14

Pouliot returned to the WHL for the 2013–14 WHL season, allowing him to make the Canadian WJC roster before embarking on his professional career.

Professional

Pittsburgh Penguins

On October 21, 2014, Pouliot was assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL by the Pittsburgh Penguins.[27] On December 20, 2014, during a rash of injuries to the Penguins defencemen, Pouliot was recalled for the first time in his career and subsequently made his NHL debut, also scoring his first NHL goal on his first shot against Roberto Luongo of the Florida Panthers.[28][29]

Vancouver Canucks

On October 3, 2017, Pouliot was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Andrey Pedan and a 2018 fourth-round pick.[30] He scored his first goal with the Canucks on November 22, scoring the game-winner in a 5–2 road win over his former team, the Pittsburgh Penguins.[31] On March 29, 2018, after scoring his fifth career goal in a 2–1 Canucks victory over the Edmonton Oilers, Pouliot set an NHL record for most goals scored from the start of a career, with all of them being game-winning goals.[32] Pouliot further extended this with a sixth game-winning goal against the Colorado Avalanche on November 2, 2018.[33] On June 26, the Canucks re-signed Pouliot to a one-year, $1.1 million contract.[34]

On May 8, 2019, it was announced the Canucks would not offer impending restricted free agent Pouliot a qualifying offer which was formalised on June 25, 2019. He was released as free agent ending his two-season tenure in Vancouver.

St. Louis Blues

On July 1, 2019, Pouliot was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the St. Louis Blues.[35]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2008–09 Moose Jaw Warriors Midget AAA SMAAAHL 51120 —————
2009–10 Moose Jaw Warriors Midget AAA SMAAAHL 4314294338 40224
2009–10 Portland Winterhawks WHL 70110 —————
2010–11 Portland Winterhawks WHL 665253038 2113416
2011–12 Portland Winterhawks WHL 7211485979 223141718
2012–13 Portland Winterhawks WHL 449364560 214162012
2012–13 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL ————— 10000
2013–14 Portland Winterhawks WHL 5817537074 215273213
2014–15 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 31 7 17 24 20 6 1 2 3 2
2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 342574 —————
2015–16 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 37 6 17 23 26 — — — — —
2015–16 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 22 0 7 7 2 2 0 0 0 2
2016–17 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 11 0 0 0 4 — — — — —
2016–17 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 46 7 16 23 26 5 1 1 2 2
2017–18 Vancouver Canucks NHL 71 3 19 22 39 — — — — —
2018–19 Vancouver Canucks NHL 63 3 9 12 30 — — — — —
2019–20 San Antonio Rampage AHL 587323934 —————
2019–20 St. Louis Blues NHL 20002
NHL totals 202 8 40 48 81 2 0 0 0 2

International
Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2011 Canada Western WHC17 6th 5 0 3 3 2
2011 Canada IH18 5 2 1 3 4
2014 Canada WJC 4th 7 1 4 5 8
Junior totals 17 3 8 11 14

Awards and honours
Award Year
WHL Bantam Draft Drafted First Overall by the Portland Winterhawks 2009 [36]
World U-17 Hockey Challenge Tournament All-Star Team 2011 [37]
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament Gold Medal with Team Canada 2011 [38][39]
NHL Research, Development and Orientation Camp 2011 [40]
CHL Top Prospects Game – Team Orr 2012 [41]
Ed Chynoweth Cup Champion – Portland Winterhawks 2013 [42]
CHL Memorial Cup All-Star Team 2013 [43]
WHL First All-Star Team (West) 2013–14 [44]
CHL Defenceman of the Year 2013–14 [45]
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gollark: * are
gollark: Who were you planning to ignore anyway?
gollark: Poor zogy.

References
  1. "Moose Jaw Warriors: 2008–09". SMAAAHL.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  2. "Winterhawks Select Derrick Pouliot". Portland Winterhawks. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  3. "Moose Jaw Warriors: 2009–10". SMAAAHL.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  4. "Derrick Pouliot Game-by-Game: 2009–10". WHL Network. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  5. "Portland Winterhawks Skaters: 2010–11". WHL Network. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  6. "World Under-17 Hockey Challenge". Hockey Canada. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  7. "Standings: 2010–11 Regular Season". WHL Network. Archived from the original on May 11, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  8. "Derrick Pouliot: 2011–12 Regular Season Game-by-Game". WHL Network. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  9. "North American skaters Midterm Rankings". NHL Network. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  10. "GAME SUMMARY 1008884". WHL Network. April 21, 2012. Archived from the original on August 25, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  11. "GAME SUMMARY 1008896". WHL Network. May 13, 2012. Archived from the original on August 26, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  12. "North American skaters Final Rankings". NHL Network. May 24, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  13. "Jordan Staal traded to Hurricanes". NHL Network. June 22, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  14. "2012 NHL Draft Results". NHL Network. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  15. "Derrick Pouliot Invited to Team Canada's National Junior Team Summer Development Camp". Pittsburgh Penguins. June 28, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  16. "Penguins Sign 2012 First-Round Draft Picks Derrick Pouliot and Olli Maatta". Pittsburgh Penguins. September 12, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  17. "NHL Lockout 2012: League Imposes Fourth Work Stoppage Since 1992". Huffington Post. September 16, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  18. "Penguins Prospects Harrington, Pouliot Invited to Team Canada's National Junior Team Selection Camp". Pittsburgh Penguins. December 3, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  19. "Pouliot Among Cuts at Canada's WJC Camp". Pittsburgh Penguins. December 13, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  20. "Winterhawks' defense strengthened with return of highly-regarded Derrick Pouliot". The Oregonian. March 6, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  21. "Standings: 2012–13 Regular Season". WHL Network. Archived from the original on July 4, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  22. "Derrick Pouliot: 2013 Playoff Game-by-Game". WHL Network. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  23. "GAME SUMMARY 1009806". WHL Network. April 2, 2013. Archived from the original on May 11, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  24. "GAME SUMMARY 1009822". WHL Network. April 6, 2013. Archived from the original on July 31, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  25. "Top Scorers: 2013 WHL Playoffs – Defensemen". WHL Network. Archived from the original on April 5, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  26. "Top Scorers: 2013 Memorial Cup – Defensemen". Mastercard Memorial Cup. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  27. "Penguins Assign Defenseman Derrick Pouliot to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton".
  28. "Penguins Recall Defensemen Derrick Pouliot and Taylor Chorney".
  29. "3 Impressions: Pens 3, Cats 1".
  30. "Canucks acquire Pouliot from Penguins". NHL.com. October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  31. "Brock Boeser scores twice to lead Canucks past Penguins". Sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. November 22, 2017. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  32. "Canucks' Pouliot makes history: 5 goals, 5 game-winners". reuters.com. March 29, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  33. Canucks, Vancouver. "Pouliot scored the game-winner, his sixth career @NHL goal AND THEY'VE ALL BEEN GAME-WINNERS!". Canucks. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  34. "Canucks Re-Sign Defenceman Derrick Pouliot". NHL.com. June 26, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  35. "Blues agree to two-way contract with six players". St. Louis Blues. July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  36. "Derrick Pouliot impresses early".
  37. "Ontario crowned U17 Challenge champions". Winnipeg Sun.
  38. "CHL Network".
  39. "Canada routs Switzerland, advances at Hlinka". Fox News.
  40. "CHL Network".
  41. "CHL stars show off skills before Prospect Game – CityNews". Archived from the original on January 19, 2013.
  42. "WHL Network". Archived from the original on May 24, 2013.
  43. "Memorial Cup". Archived from the original on January 7, 2016.
  44. "WHL ANNOUNCES ALL-STARS & AWARDS FINALISTS". Archived from the original on March 24, 2014.
  45. "Former Penguins first-rounder Derrick Pouliot named top defenseman". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Joe Morrow		 Pittsburgh Penguins first round draft pick
2012		 Succeeded by
Olli Määttä
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