06/26/2024
Huge congrats to former Predators’ Captain, Shea Weber, and retired General Manager, David Poile, and just being inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame!
In Cellblock 303 we would chant, “Give it to Shea, and get outta the way!” due to his massive 108 mph slap shot (one of the hardest of all time). At least 7 different players suffered broken bones, and a few goalies were knocked loopy getting in front of his howitzer. On one occasion he shot a puck through the back boards behind the goal. Another time he shattered the plexiglass. And he even shot the vulcanized rubber so hard once that it tore thru the twine netting of the goal. This power led to him tallying 166 goals (80 on the power play—a team record), along with 277 assists. His 443 total points place him 5th in franchise history. At 6’4” he was a punishing presence as one of the top D-Men in the NHL. During Weber's 11 seasons, the Preds made the playoffs 8 times. He also won 2 Olympic Gold Medals as part of Team Canada. If he hadn't been saddled with debilitating injuries towards the end of his career with Montreal, he might've ended up one of the top five goal scoring defensemen ever.
David Poile served as the Preds GM and President of Hockey Operations for their first 25 seasons, guiding the team to playoff appearances 16 out of the last 20 years. Before Nashville, he led the Washington Capitals to the playoffs 14 of his 15 seasons there. Combined, his teams won a total of 1,533 games (the all-time highest total for any GM…a record that may never be broken). He has previously been voted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame as well.
Both of these men were great ambassadors for hockey across the globe, and were even better citizens of Smashville. It will be wonderful to see their plaques enshrined in Toronto’s Holy of Holies, as well as have banners raised in their honor at Bridgestone Arena. Predator Nation couldn’t be prouder!
