Dave Poulin may call Timmins “home,” but he also clings to a lot of fond childhood memories staying at his grandmother’s house in Ottawa.
Being back in the nation’s capital excites him. Poulin, a former captain of the Philadelphia Flyers, executive with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and TSN pundit, was recruited by the Ottawa Senators on Sunday to serve as senior vice-president of hockey operations.
I certainly have a deep connection to the Ottawa region, Poulin admitted. “I still have family here, my parents are from here, I spent time in the west end as a young person, and I’ve stayed in touch with people in Ottawa.” That’s why it feels good.
The 65-year-old Poulin had a burning desire to return to the practical side of hockey. However, he was also well acquainted with general manager Steve Staios and Senators owner Michael Andlauer, whose deal to purchase the team ended three and a half months ago.
Poulin desired to contribute to the “collaborative approach” that was being used to create a successful hockey club.
“It’s a rare chance for me,” stated Poulin, who served as the Leafs’ vice-president of hockey operations from 2009 to 2014 in addition to serving as general manager of the Toronto Marlies, their AHL affiliate. Throughout the past ten years, I have had a varied seat. I had an extremely unbiased view on hockey. I wasn’t connected to a group of players or to successes or failures. I just observed, made notes, considered the match, and noted the composition of the various teams.
“I observed what worked and what didn’t work. Additionally, it introduced a component that significantly enhanced the playing, coaching, management, and fan components that I already possessed.
“When this opportunity came, I felt it was a chance to be part of something really special. This is a talented young group. There have been many challenges for them this year. But I believe the future is incredibly bright from both an individual standpoint and a team-structure standpoint. The two gentlemen I’m sitting with (Andlauer and Staios) have done it right at different levels in the hockey world, they’ve won and I believe we’ll win (here).”
