Poolman not worried about future

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This article was published 18/01/2017 (2648 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — The clock is ticking. But Tucker Poolman insists he’s not wasting any time worrying about where he might be playing hockey next season.

Poolman is a Winnipeg Jets prospect, having been selected by the NHL team in the fifth round of the 2013 entry draft.

The 23-year-old defenceman is having a fantastic junior year with the University of North Dakota (UND), the reigning NCAA champions, and looks poised to make the jump to the pro ranks.

But there is no guarantee it will be with the Jets organization.

Poolman has yet to sign a contract and could become a free agent within 30 days of graduating in the spring, allowing every NHL team to potentially bid for his services.

If that happens, it would be the same path taken by high-profile college players such as Justin Schultz (drafted by the Anaheim Ducks but signed by the Edmonton Oilers) and Jimmy Vesey (drafted by the Nashville Predators but signed with the New York Rangers).

For a Winnipeg franchise woefully short on quality blue-line prospects, it would be a huge loss.

Poolman recently told the Free Press he’s not aware of any recent contract talks with the Jets.

“I just try to focus on hockey, live in the present. If you think about the past or the future, you kind of get distracted. I just try to enjoy playing here and am just trying to work on getting better every day,” Poolman said after his team’s 3-1 victory Saturday over Miami.

Poolman was noticeable, taking a game-high six shots, logging big minutes while quarterbacking the UND power play and being a central part of an effective penalty kill on the No. 8-ranked team in the NCAA.

Poolman has four goals and 14 assists in 22 games and should easily surpass the career-best 24 points he posted in 40 games last year.

Poolman said although the increased offence is nice, he’s tried to become a more well-rounded player with the hopes of adapting his game at the pro level.

“Coming into this season, I wanted to be a more consistent player and try to work on managing the game. Defensively just little things, just to do every time you’re out there, be a consistent, trustworthy defenceman,” he said.

Poolman attended the Jets’ development camp last summer in Winnipeg and has remained in touch with the organization, which includes being visited at UND on a handful of occasions.

“Every now and then, I’ll see a guy from the organization. They’ll come down here and talk for a few minutes. It’s pretty cordial. That’s about it,” he said.

There was some thought Poolman might turn pro last year after UND won the Frozen Four, but he elected to return for a third year in order to play with his younger brother, Colton. The Poolman boys grew up in nearby East Grand Forks, Minn.

“I remember watching games with Colton. We’d be talking about how we’d hopefully go on to do it someday. It was kind of a dream of ours. For it to happen is pretty cool,” Poolman said. “We don’t really think about it too much; it’ll probably be cooler when we’re older. We’re just trying to live in the moment and have fun.”

Poolman’s place of birth might be reason for optimism for Jets fans anxious he could slip through the organization’s hands.

Poolman admits he’s turned his mind to playing pro hockey just up the highway.

“Yeah, you know looking on the horizon, two hours from home, it’s a good organization. Looking down the road, it’s a thing you dream about obviously. But for right now, I’m going to enjoy my time here at UND,” he said.

UND head coach Brad Berry could also be a factor, having spent several years in Winnipeg, first as a player for the Jets and later as an assistant coach for the Manitoba Moose.

He’s clearly a big fan of Poolman’s and has previously referred to him as a “consummate late bloomer” with a bright future.

Poolman said he does occasionally check in on the Jets to see how they’re doing, in addition to hearing plenty of chatter from friends.

“People will tell me stuff. But I’m really just trying to focus on this team and this year,” he said.

“I think if you kind of buy into that stuff it will distract you. That’s not what I’m trying to do, I’m trying to just focus on now.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca