When it comes to laying a foundation for an organization, it helps to get in on the ground floor. Way back in 1972, fresh out of college, 22-year-old David Poile followed his father’s footsteps and got a job with a hockey club.

At the time, David’s father Bud was the general manager of the Vancouver Canucks. After interviewing with newly-hired Atlanta Flames GM Cliff Fletcher, the younger Poile was hired and began a decades-long life in hockey as Fletcher’s right-hand man with the Flames.

On Tuesday afternoon, Poile was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder.

Poile worked with the Flames organization for a decade and, in terms of seniority in the organization, he was likely only beaten by owner Tom Cousins, president Bill Putnam, and Fletcher. Poile served as a hockey operations support staffer under various titles for five seasons, then became the club’ assistant GM in 1977. He served in that capacity for three seasons in Atlanta, then moved north with the club to Calgary in 1980. After two seasons in Calgary, he was hired on as GM with the Washington Capitals, a role he held from 1982 to 1995.

Poile is arguably best known for his lengthy – and only recently concluded – tenure as GM of the Nashville Predators. He served as their GM beginning with their expansion process, and recently retired from that role following the 2022-23 season to become an advisor to successor Barry Trotz.

In addition to his lengthy NHL resume Poile also worked with USA Hockey at several major international events, including five World Hockey Championships and two Olympics. He has a silver medal from the United States’ performance at the 2010 Olympics. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018 in the builder category.

Respected throughout the game for his wisdom and candour, Poile is a well-deserving inductee into the Hockey Hall of Fame.