The call has come for the former Nashville Predators franchise stalwart Shea Weber and the architect David Poile. The Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2024 was announced Tuesday, June 25th, announcing Pavel Datsyuk, Jeremy Roenick, Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell-Pohl as players with Weber and Colin Campbell as a builder Poile to round out the class.
Poile was the first general manager in the history of the Nashville Predators franchise, He became the winningest GM in NHL history in the 2017-18 season and continued to rack up wins until he retired from the position in 2023.
Welcome to the Hockey Hall of Fame, David Poile.#HHOF2024 | #HHOF pic.twitter.com/eH5WyhuYNd
— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) June 25, 2024
The architect that built Smashville, David Poile
Long before his time in Nashville, Poile started with the Atlanta Flames in 1972 and then continued after their move to Calgary, rising to become assistant general manager. Then he managed the Washington Capitals from 1982 to 1997. He is the only general manager in the history of the game to lead two franchises for at least 1,000 games and over 500 wins.
During Poile's stint with the Predators, they made the playoffs 15 times, including a successful run of eight-straight years from 2015 to 2022, which featured a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2017 and a Presidents Trophy in 2018.
Poile has been entrenched and successful as an NHL general manager since 1982. He spent over 40 years wheeling and dealing, the majority of the time winning his deals. He also helped build the Predators into one of the premier NHL franchises. He has also won the Lester Patrick Trophy (2001) and been named GM of the Year (2017). Internationally he has served with USA Hockey in 1998 and 1999 and was the general manager for the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
A lethal slapshot, a strong leader, the first franchise superstar for the Predators
Shea Weber was a 2003 draft pick by Poile, in the second round at 49th overall by the Predators. After more years of juniors, Weber spent the next 11 seasons being the key cog in the Predators' defensive setup.
Despite falling short of winning the Norris Trophy, Weber was a member of seven All-Star Games, four-time Hardest Shot Competition winner, four offseason All-Star Teams, and won the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2015-16.
Weber was known for his lethal shot, his aggressive play, and his leadership abilities. He previously held all or most of the defensive scoring records for the Predators, and would contribute as well later in his career with Montreal, helping guide them to a Stanley Cup Finals appearance,
Weber also has a golden international record. Starring for Canada, he won gold at the World Junior Championships in 2007, gold at the World Championships in 2007, Olympic gold in 2010 and 2014, and gold in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
With his NHL career coming to an abrupt and unfortunate halt after the 2020-21 season due to lingering injuries, Weber remains at 49th all-time in points for an NHL defenseman at 589 and is 10th all-time among NHL defensemen in power play goals with 106.
Without either man, the Nashville Predators franchise would not have seen some of its greatest achievements, and would not have become the beloved fixture that it is today in the city. This is a large moment in Predators history, as Weber becomes the first player to have spent the majority of his career in Nashville to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Poile is also the first Nashville executive to enter. Previously, former Predators Paul Karyia and Peter Forsberg were enshrined in 2017 and 2014 respectively.
The induction ceremony is scheduled for November 11th, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario Canada.