Poolman not a ‘rushing’ defenceman

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/07/2016 (3390 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With prospects, you never really know how the story goes until they arrive as professionals.

There is, though, one thing you can say about University of North Dakota defenceman Tucker Poolman — he’s consistent.

There has never been anything rushed about the now-23-year-old.

He’s been referred to as the classic late bloomer; drafted when he was 20 by the Jets in the fifth round of 2013, started college a year later and he’s in no hurry to get out of school to chase the dream or the bright lights of the NHL.

“I guess I was tempted, but for me it’s always just take it slow and methodical so why change that?” Poolman said Monday on the second day of Jets development camp. “I’m going to stick with it.”

The dream’s been pretty good and the lights bright at UND, in particular with the school’s NCAA hockey title in April.

That and the arrival of his younger brother, Colton, as a teammate this fall have led Poolman to opt for another year of college hockey.

“It’s pretty special and obviously one of the big reasons I went back, to get the opportunity to play with him,” Poolman said. “I’m just excited for it.

“(Staying in school) is something I discussed with my family for a while, some teammates and the coaches, and just thought about it for a while and decided I wanted to stay another year and keep preparing.”

The preparing part is a reference to the bigger picture of his future.

A mobile blue-liner with good hockey sense and a very good shot, Poolman is probably higher-profile than many fifth-round picks.

His pro career time might be a little closer than you think.

The East Grand Forks, Minn., native is likely to graduate next spring after just three years, which could put him into a free agent situation 30 days after he’s finished school, according to the NHL’s CBA.

The Jets are more than aware of the situation but have exhibited no overt interference. The NHL team was prepared to sign Poolman last year and there’s little reason to think that won’t be the case in the spring, when he’s finished school. In the interim, they offer support — like at this week’s camp — and keep a close eye.

At this week’s camp, Poolman is a repeat customer and is familiar with the drill.

“You want to see where you stack up against everyone else, but at the same time you’re here to improve and get better and try to get that next level also,” he said.

The season just completed saw him in a role as one of coach Brad Berry’s all-purpose, high-trust skaters, and he put up five goals and 24 points in 40 games en route to the national title.

“It takes a lot of people, teammates, coaches, staff and everyone’s got to pull the rope in the same direction,” he said. “It’s something you work for all year and that’s the goal at the end of the year so it was pretty special to get it done.

“Growing up in East Grand Forks, which is basically Grand Forks where the college is, it’s a dream come true to have the opportunity to play there, and also to win a championship there was pretty awesome, too. It’s hard to explain in words. It was awesome.”

AFTERBURNERS: Today’s camp activity is a full scrimmage, starting at 6 p.m. at the Iceplex. It’s a ticket-only event. As of Monday night, they were still available at any Jets Gear store. The rest of the week’s activities Wednesday and Thursday are free and open to the public.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca