Poolman relishes opportunity in first full NHL season

Tucker Poolman entered the 2019-20 season with an opportunity to become a full-time NHL'er.

Goal, accomplished.

Amid an injury plagued season and a deep blueline for the Jets in 2018-19, Poolman spent the entire campaign with the Manitoba Moose - piling up 25 points (5G, 20A) in 43 games. Fast forward a year later with the opportunity of a lifetime ahead, Poolman made the jump to the NHL without missing a beat, registering 16 points (4G, 12A) in 57 games.

"Personally, it was an interesting year from last year on the Moose and dealing with some injuries. This year there was a lot going on with the team from the defensive standpoint with people leaving and things like that," said Poolman.

"That was kind of unexpected and interesting so I just tried to make the most of it. As a team we were able to grind through and find some success and we were playing some good hockey before the season got shut down."

A big key to Poolman's growth this year has been playing alongside assistant captain Josh Morrissey. The two spent a lot of time together as a pairing on the ice early in the season.

"He's a real smart player and I've been trying to get some chemistry with him. Learning where to be for him and those types of things," said Poolman.

"I'm learning how to break out the puck together and things like that. It was great and I learned a lot this year from him."

It doesn't hurt to have someone who has five Stanley Cup rings as a coach either. Charlie Huddy won those rings as a member of the Edmonton Oilers and has more than 1,000 games as an assistant coach on his resume. Poolman remembered a game in Anaheim back in October where Huddy really got him through a tough time.

"It was kind of the beginning of the season and he pulled me aside and just said 'You've got to let that (poor play) go, there's a lot of hockey left in the season and there's games where things don't go your way'", recalled Poolman.

"It's just something where he could have given me a seat on the bench or something like that and he just kind of wrote it off and that helped me a lot."

Like all of his teammates, Poolman is adapting to everything slowing down because of COVID-19. It's almost been two months since the Jets played a game and the North Dakota product is missing the intensity that comes with fighting for a playoff spot.

"It's the part of hockey that makes it interesting. It's always fun to be in the mix and playing meaningful games and that makes the grind and the competitiveness of everyday matters, every shift you have counts," said Poolman.

"Obviously as a team you want to be in a position where you are going to make the playoffs but at the same time it's exciting hockey and you get up for it playing those meaningful games."

Poolman has two younger brothers and both play hockey at a high level. Colton recently signed a one-year, entry level deal with the Calgary Flames after four seasons at the University of North Dakota. 18-year-old Mason just wrapped up his season as a forward at East Grand Forks High School. There is an ongoing debate in the Poolman household about who is the bestplayer.

"We're all still playing and we will see how everything pans out. For me as the oldest brother, it's so much fun to watch my two younger brothers after going through some stuff with them," said Poolman.

"I chime in and give my two cents even though they probably don't care to listen to me. But it's fun to watch those two."

A long time ago Tucker and Colton took the sibling rivalry to another level that caused their mother to change some rules regarding equipment while playing floor hockey.

"When we were younger, me and Colton were playing floor hockey and we would always get into fights and stuff. I must have been running my mouth a little bit and Colton gave me a good whack over the head with a stick. I probably deserved it," said Poolman.

"Then we had to make a switch to wearing helmets for a game of floor hockey. I think my mom made the right call on that one."

Thanks for making his wear the bucket, Mrs. Poolman.