Benoît Pouliot

Benoît Robert Pouliot (born September 29, 1986) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger. He played a parts of 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, and Buffalo Sabres. 

Career
Before playing in the NHL, Pouliot played three seasons with the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He had a successful career with the team, winning the Emms Family Award after being named as the 2004 top rookie in the OHL. 

He was selected 4th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2005 NHL entry draft. On May 1, 2006, Pouliot signed a 3-year, $5.1 million entry-level contract with the Wild. 

On November 22, the Wild called him up and he made his NHL debut in a 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. He was sent back down after the game. On March 15, 2008, he was called back up to the Wild. On March 22, 2008, Pouliot scored his first NHL goal against Miikka Kiprusoff of the Calgary Flames and scored another back-to-back in the 2nd period but the Wild lost to the Flames 5–4.

On November 23, the Wild traded Pouliot to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Guillaume Latendresse. He played two seasons with them, spending time between the team and their AHL-affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs.

On July 1, 2011, Pouliot signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract to join the Boston Bruins. He played one season with them, scoring 16 goals and recording 16 assists.

On June 23, 2012, the Bruins traded Pouliot to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Michel Ouellet and a 2012 fifth-round draft pick.
 He signed a one-year, $1.8 million contract to stay with the Lightning two days later. He played 34 games with them, scoring 8 goals and recording 12 assists.

On July 5, 2013, Pouliot signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract to join the New York Rangers. He played one season with them, scoring 15 goals and recording 21 assists.

On July 1, 2014, Pouliot signed a five-year, $20 million contract to join the Edmonton Oilers. He spent three seasons with them team. During his time there, he helped them make it to the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in 10 years but they lost to the Anaheim Ducks 4 games to three in the second round.

On July 1, 2017, Pouliot signed a one-year $1.15 million contract to join the Buffalo Sabres. During his season there, he scored 13 goals and recorded 6 assists.

In 2018, Pouliot decided to retire from playing professional ice hockey.

References

 Other websites 

Category:1986 births
Category:Living people
Category:Boston Bruins players
Category:Buffalo Sabres players
Category:Canadian ice hockey left wingers
Category:Edmonton Oilers players
Category:Ice hockey people from Ontario
Category:Minnesota Wild players
Category:Montreal Canadiens players
Category:New York Rangers players
Category:Tampa Bay Lightning players