NASHVILLE, Tenn. – March 27, 2021 – David Poile, U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer and General Manager of the NHL’s Nashville Predators, is a 2021 Inductee of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. It was announced today during the first intermission of the Nashville Predators-Chicago Blackhawks game on Fox Sports Tennessee.
Poile attended Boston’s Northeastern University, where he was hockey team captain, leading scorer, and MVP for two seasons. He began his professional career as an administrative assistant with the Atlanta Flames expansion team and spent 10 years with the organization before becoming General Manager of the Washington Capitals in 1982.
Poile helmed the Capitals until 1997, when he came to Nashville to become the first ever General Manager of the Nashville Predators, a position he holds to this day. Along the way, Poile has become the longest tenured GM in the NHL, and the winningest GM in NHL history.
Poile built the Predators roster from the ground up, and has seen the organization reach the playoffs in 14 of the last 16 seasons. In 2016-2017, the Predators reached the Stanley Cup Final, and in 2017-2018, the team won the President’s Trophy, awarded to the team with the best overall record.
Poile has served on NHL’s Competition Committee since its formation, was appointed to the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee in 2014, and has been involved with USA Hockey, highlighted by his service as GM of the U.S. Olympic Team in 2014 and Associate GM for the squad that took home the silver medal in 2010. In 2018, Poile was named to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.
Poile is the 11th member of the Class of 2021. He joins the Voice of the Titans Mike Keith, U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone, Tennessee baseball star Todd Helton, former MTSU defensive standout Mike Caldwell, ETSU Basketball great Tommy Woods, Memphis women’s basketball coaching legend Mary Lou Johns, Tennessee football legend Bill Bates, Vanderbilt women’s basketball trailblazer Cathy Bender, Tennessee basketball star Reggie Johnson, and wheelchair basketball champion and Jackson native Brandon Rowland as inductees of the Class of 2021.
Established in 1966, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame honors figures from every sport including basketball, baseball, football, golf, soccer and track & field, along with coaches, teams, sports writers and others who made an impact. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development oversees all operations along with the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors.
For more information, visit www.tshf.net.
About the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame
Established in 1966, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame enshrines and honors athletes, teams, coaches, sports writers and sports administrators who have made an impact on the history of Tennessee sports. The Hall serves as a platform to connect athletes, coaches, sports fans, and supporters by acknowledging life achievements implemented through sports. The Hall celebrates athletes of all forms, from all across the state. Additionally, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame aspires to educate youth about the importance of healthy habits and the positive impact they have on lifestyle choices. The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame is located at 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for children and can be purchased at the Visitor Center in Bridgestone Arena, right outside of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Group rates are available for 10 or more. For more information, visit www.tshf.net.