Poolman officially inks up with Jets

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This article was published 30/03/2017 (3149 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Tucker Poolman admits he doesn’t relish having the spotlight aimed directly his way.

But the 23-year-old defenceman was front and centre Thursday afternoon, introduced as the newest member of the Winnipeg Jets organization.

After several days of uncertainty, Poolman, who just completed his third season with the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks, inked a one-year, US$1.775 million entry-level deal with the NHL club. The contract, which is for the 2017-18 season, includes rookie salary and bonuses. Because of his age, he could only sign a one-year entry-level deal. He becomes a restricted free agent with arbitration rights in the summer of ’18.

The native of East Grand Forks, Minn., could have resisted the Jets’ offer and become an unrestricted free agent later this summer, but decided to join the organization that selected him in the fifth round (127th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft. Poolman said he was thrilled to join the Jets, who play just three hours north of his home.

“It’s pretty awesome, just really excited,” said the 6-4, 217-pound right-shooting rearguard.

“I want to be a part of the Jets, with the people they have in place, the organization, the city, it’s something I want to be a part of. I want to be part of the future. Up and down the lineup, there’s a lot of talent and a lot of youth as well. That’s something I want to be a part of.”

Poolman, highly regarded as a puck-moving defenceman, posted 30 points (seven goals, 23 assists) in 38 games as a junior with the UND Fighting Hawks this season, but was injured March 18 when he was hit from behind into the boards during the National Collegiate Hockey Conference championship game.

He was unable to play in UND’s 4-3 double-overtime loss to the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA West Regional semifinal last Friday. The loss ended the Fighting Hawks’ season.

He will undergo the first of two planned shoulder surgeries today and his availability at training camp in the fall will be determined after the second procedure. Poolman said it took a few days to clear his head following the disappointment of the injury and the end to the season, and then he turned his attention to turning pro.

“We had a tough loss and, for a day or two there, it took me a while. I didn’t really want to think about anything else,” said Poolman. “Had a meeting (earlier this week) with Chevy (Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff) and it went pretty well, you know, I was excited about it. The next day, I had my MRI and I wanted to find out… as far as my shoulders, what I needed to do and what my recovery time would be.

“Once I found that out, and found out how fast I could come back, I knew I’d be able to make it back for next season, hopefully, so that was the plan there.

“They say it’s four to six months, so it really depends on how things go,” he added. “You can’t really forecast too much into the future, but I should be able to be pretty healthy once next season rolls around.”

Considered a bit of a late bloomer, Poolman said the Jets’ faith in his development was a factor in his decision to come to Winnipeg.

“I mean, I guess my path, you could say, was a little different than others,” he said. “For one team to believe in you — and that was Winnipeg — was huge for me. Just to try to find a team that thinks you can be the best player you can be. That was big for me.”

The Jets already have their defencemen of the future — Josh Morrissey, 22, Jacob Trouba, 23, and Dustin Byfuglien, 32, signed through the 2020-21 campaign — in their lineup. The club lacks depth on the blue line, so securing Poolman was a key move. Still, Poolman was a little unnerved by all the hype.

“For me, it’s kind of surprising,” said Poolman, who was selected the NCHC’s defensive defenceman of the year. “I have a couple of friends on the (UND) team that are from Canada and they tell me little tidbits and stuff. I’ve heard a little bit, but I kind of like flying under the radar.”

An economics major who intends on graduating, Poolman was a key member of UND’s NCAA championship team in 2016. Poolman, who got to play college hockey with his brother Colton this season, described himself as a steady, responsible defender.

“As far as my style of play, a two-way defenceman, I suppose. I try to be responsible in the D-zone and head-man pucks. If there’s a shot, I’m going to take it. Try to make the simple play. Nothing too fancy,” he said.

His signing came a day after UND announced it was cutting its women’s hockey program in June.

“I was in Grand Forks (Wednesday) and I heard the unfortunate news. It’s just really a sad situation,” said Poolman. “My heart goes out to everyone at that program. I’ve got to know some of the staff and players. As a student-athlete, they put in so many hours. All student-athletes do. So many hours behind the scenes and hard work. It’s just really hard to see.”

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPJasonBell