Sam Poulin Bio
Samuel Poulin is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward for the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) tall and weighing 217 lb (98 kg), Poulin shoots left and was selected 21st overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the 2019 NHL entry draft. He has competed in professional hockey since the 2021–22 season.
After beginning his career within the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, Poulin was traded to the Edmonton Oilers organization in December 2025. He continues to develop as a power forward at the AHL level while remaining under NHL contract.
Early Life and Background
Samuel Poulin was born on February 25, 2001, in Blainville, Quebec, Canada. Growing up in Quebec, he was immersed in a region known for producing elite hockey talent and developed his game through local minor hockey programs. His left-handed shot and 6 ft 2 in frame were shaped by years of training in the province’s competitive youth circuits.
Hockey runs deep in the Poulin family. His father, Patrick Poulin, was chosen ninth overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1991 NHL entry draft and went on to play 634 NHL games across 11 seasons with the Whalers, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Montreal Canadiens. Patrick scored 101 career NHL goals between 1991 and 2002. Another important figure in Samuel’s life is his godfather, former NHL goaltender Jocelyn Thibault, who later served as the general manager of the Sherbrooke Phoenix.
Path to Hockey
Poulin’s path to professional hockey moved through the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), one of Canada’s three major junior circuits. The Sherbrooke Phoenix selected him in the 2017 QMJHL Draft, and he developed into one of the league’s most respected young forwards. His strong two-way play, scoring touch, and leadership qualities quickly established him as a top NHL prospect.
That development culminated in the 2019 NHL entry draft, when the Pittsburgh Penguins chose Poulin 21st overall in the first round. On September 22, 2019, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins, officially beginning his professional trajectory. Poulin also represented Canada at the 2019 World U18 Championships, adding international experience to his resume.
Sam Poulin Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Poulin began his major junior career with the Sherbrooke Phoenix of the QMJHL after being selected in the 2017 QMJHL Draft. He progressed steadily through the organization, earning increased responsibility and the respect of teammates and coaches. During his final two seasons with Sherbrooke, from 2019 to 2021, he was named team captain, a clear sign of his standing within the locker room.
In January 2021, Sherbrooke traded Poulin to the Val-d’Or Foreurs, where he finished his major junior career. His leadership credentials and offensive production in the QMJHL helped validate the Penguins’ decision to draft him in the first round.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Era (2021–2025)
Poulin made his professional debut for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL in the 2021–22 season. He adjusted to the professional game while continuing to develop the physical and defensive elements of his play. On October 25, 2022, he reached a major career milestone by making his NHL debut; he recorded one assist for his first career NHL point in a 4–1 loss to the Calgary Flames.
The 2022–23 season brought personal challenges. In December 2022, Poulin took a leave of absence from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to address mental health concerns after suffering a panic attack during a game. He returned to the lineup in March 2023 and was praised for his openness in handling the situation. Poulin began the 2023–24 AHL season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton but was sidelined by a high-ankle sprain on October 29, 2023, returning on December 16. He later sustained a separate lower-body injury on February 3, 2024, and returned to the lineup on March 1. On April 29, 2024, Pittsburgh re-signed him to a two-year contract extension.
On April 15, 2025, Poulin was named Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Man of the Year for the 2024–25 AHL season, recognizing his contributions on and off the ice. His time with the Penguins organization combined steady development, injury setbacks, and a meaningful personal comeback.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2025–Present)
On December 12, 2025, the Pittsburgh Penguins traded Poulin and goaltender Tristan Jarry to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for goaltender Stuart Skinner, defenceman Brett Kulak, and a 2029 second-round draft pick. The move placed Poulin within the Oilers’ developmental system, where he joined the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL.
The trade represented a fresh opportunity for Poulin to continue his professional growth in a new organization. As a young forward under NHL contract, he is positioned to be a contributor at the AHL level and a candidate for future NHL duty with Edmonton.
Driving Style and Strengths
Poulin is recognized for a power-forward style built on size, strength, and a reliable left-handed shot. His 6 ft 2 in, 217 lb frame allows him to win battles along the boards and play a physical brand of hockey, while his offensive instincts developed in the QMJHL make him a threat in scoring areas. He is valued for his leadership, having served as Sherbrooke’s captain, and for his resilience in navigating injury setbacks and personal challenges.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Poulin’s career include being drafted 21st overall in 2019, captaining the Sherbrooke Phoenix, making his NHL debut on October 25, 2022, and being named Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Man of the Year for the 2024–25 AHL season. His December 2025 trade to the Edmonton Oilers organization marked another significant step in his professional journey.
Sam Poulin Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Samuel Poulin comes from a notable hockey family. His father, Patrick Poulin, was a first-round NHL draft pick in 1991 and played 634 career NHL games over 11 seasons with the Hartford Whalers, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Montreal Canadiens, scoring 101 goals. Patrick’s professional career provided Samuel with a direct connection to the demands and rewards of NHL life.
His godfather, Jocelyn Thibault, is a former NHL goaltender who later served as the general manager of the Sherbrooke Phoenix. Thibault’s role in junior hockey added another layer of hockey expertise and mentorship in Poulin’s development path.
Personal Life
Poulin has been open about the mental health challenges he faced during his professional career, including a panic attack suffered during a game in December 2022. He took a leave of absence to address those concerns before returning to the lineup in March 2023. His willingness to discuss these struggles has been recognized as part of his leadership profile, including his selection as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Man of the Year for 2024–25.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year was a defining one for Poulin. He began the year with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and was named the team’s Man of the Year for the 2024–25 AHL season on April 15, 2025. He continued to develop as a power forward while under contract to Pittsburgh, and his leadership contributions remained a central part of his role with the organization.
The biggest change came on December 12, 2025, when Poulin was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, along with goaltender Tristan Jarry, in exchange for goaltender Stuart Skinner, defenceman Brett Kulak, and a 2029 second-round pick. The deal moved him into the Oilers’ developmental pipeline, where he joined the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL.
Heading into the remainder of the 2025–26 season, Poulin is focused on establishing himself within the Edmonton organization. His combination of size, scoring upside, and veteran poise in junior hockey positions him as a prospect to watch as he works toward a consistent NHL role with the Oilers.
