Walt Poddubny
Walter Michael Poddubny was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and coach who played eleven seasons in the National Hockey League from 1981–82 until 1991–92. He played 468 career NHL games, scoring 184 goals and 238 assists for 422 points.Career
Poddubny was drafted 90th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft.
He was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs by the New York Rangers for Mike Allison on August 18, 1986, in a trade considered to be Phil Esposito's best during his three years as the team's general manager. Poddubny was the leading scorer in each of his only two Rangers campaigns, with 87 points in 1986–87 and 88 the following season. He was the recipient of the New York Rangers Fan Club's Frank Boucher Trophy for the most popular player on and off the ice in both years, and the team's Most Valuable Player Award from the Professional Hockey Writers Association in 1987.
Following a productive season in 1988-89 with the Quebec Nordiques, that saw Poddubny score 38 goals in 72 games played, his playing career began to decline from damaged knees.
After his career in the NHL, Poddubny coached several hockey teams including six seasons as head coach of the Anchorage Aces. Life after the NHL wasn't easy for him, and he once said, "People think if you played in the NHL, you're set for life. It's not like that for everyone."
Poddubny died of a heart attack at the age of 49, collapsing at his sister's house in Thunder Bay.Career statistics
Ice hockey
Roller hockey
Coaching
‡ - Midseason Replacement
