David Poile Helped Turn Nashville Into A Sports Town

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Pictured (L-R): Gerry Helper and David Poile. Photo: Courtesy of the Nashville Predators

There are not many people who spend 25 years with one sports organization, and who not only transcend the team but also the city. When looking at the great sports executives that helped teams to grow and put them on the map, its’s nearly impossible to not see David Poile at the top of the list.

Poile has served as the Nashville Predators only General Manager since the team was founded in 1998, and has turned the team into a legit playoff contender with one of the best home ice advantages in the NHL.

This didn’t happen over night. A lot of work from Poile and his team turned Nashville into a respectable hockey town and in turn, a top-tier sports city. The Preds failed to make the playoffs until their 2003-2004 season and didn’t win their first playoff series until 2011. But through these hard times, Poile was creating a team with an identity that was unique to Nashville.

Barry Trotz, who will be the next GM for Nashville, was the teams’ first ever coach joining in 1998. He became the most winningest coach in franchise history and a pillar for the franchise. Though Trotz moved on from the Preds, he and Poile created a foundation for the club to grow and build around players like Pekka Rinne, Shane Webber and Mike Fisher. With these great players and a first class arena like Bridgestone, fans created an identity full of traditions that grew the fanbase.

With the Predators becoming a part of the city’s identity, Nashville began to grow into a legit sports city. Music City has been one of the hottest sports spots over the past 10 years, hosting the NHL All-Star Game, NFL Draft, IndyCar Grand Prix’s and getting the MLS team, Nashville SC.

So much of this success can be attributed to the explosion of the Preds and the work Poile put in. NASCAR returning to town, the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix as well as Nashville SC and GEODIS Park are all credits to Poile’s efforts.

Despite recent troubles the Preds have had in recent years, Poile’s legacy is one to be celebrated and remembered, not only in Nashville but throughout the entire NHL. He is on the Mount Rushmore of the city’s greatest sports executives and will be a model for future executives both with the Predators and other Nashville teams.

Steven Boero
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