The name David Poile is the only member of the Nashville Predators organization that was around when former North Bay Centennials Vitali Yachmenev, Darren Turcotte and Bill Houlder once wore Predators colors.
How things have changed in music city, where the team nearly left town in 2007 due to fan apathy, and now 10 years later the team has ‘Boot Scootin Boogied’ to the Stanley Cup final by beating the Anaheim Ducks 6-3 in game six to win that series four games to two and will now meet the winner of the Ottawa-Pittsburgh series.
Turcotte was with the franchise in its inaugural season in 1998.
The current Nipissing Lakers Varsity Women’s team head coach retired from game the following year and got involved in youth hockey in Nashville where he became the founder and head coach of Nashville’s first ever Midget Triple A program, even coaching Country Icon Barbara Mandrell’s son in the process.
“Huge Congrats to the entire Predators organization,” said Turcotte via Facebook on Tuesday morning.
“The fan base has been remarkable for the past 19 years. I know many people that were at the first ever game and that were there last night as well.”
For Houlder, he sees a lot of parallels from the teams he played with in the early 00’s to the hard working group that has defied the odds this season and made the Cup final as a 16th seed.
“I think it’s awesome, they are a young team that is exciting to watch,” said Houlder, who helped coach the defence during Battalion practices this season.
“They have way more skill than we would have had, but those guys still play with such a tight, disciplined system that is what is making them a success.”
Both Houlder and Turcotte are thrilled to see the success their former GM is getting in 2017.
“David Poile has waited a long time for this day and it has finally arrived,” noted Turcotte.
“He’s (Poile) seen this from the beginning and all the way through and he’s such a good, nice person so it’s great to see his success,” noted Houlder.
Now Houlder, Yachmenev, Turcotte, the rest of the Predators alumni, and fans hope the Eastern Conference champs don’t turn the radio dial to “Achy Breaky Heart,” when the Stanley Cup finals begin next Monday, May 29th.
