Poile was also a finalist for the GM of the Year award in each of its first three years of existence (2010, 2011 and 2012), and received the sixth-most votes in 2015. Poile is one of the most influential men in the sport of hockey, evidenced by his spot on the NHL's Competition Committee in all 14 years of its existence, appointment to the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee in 2014, and involvement with USA Hockey, highlighted by his service as General Manager of the United States Olympic Team for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
In 2006-07, Poile was recognized by The Sporting News as its "Executive of the Year," an honor he had received twice previously (1982-83 and 1983-84). The distinction is determined through a vote of his peers. In 2006, Business TN magazine honored Poile as the magazine's "CEO of the Year" based on his consistent and successful track record as the team's architect.
In 2001, Poile was a recipient of the Lester Patrick Award in recognition of his contributions to hockey in the United States. Poile has devoted his professional career to hockey and the NHL, particularly in nontraditional markets. His late father, Bud Poile, also a recipient of the Lester Patrick Award (1989) and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame (1990), served as general manager of two expansion franchises - first in Philadelphia (1967) and then in Vancouver (1970).
Poile began his professional career as an administrative assistant with the Atlanta Flames expansion franchise in 1972 and spent 10 years with the organization before being named general manager of the Washington Capitals in 1982. Poile is currently in the midst of his 48th season in the NHL.