PENTICTON, B.C. – The Penticton Vees will have another familiar face hit the ice in the National Hockey League ranks as former defenseman Colton Poolman has signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames.
Poolman, 24, is coming off of a four-year career at the University of North Dakota following his final season of junior hockey in Penticton during the 2015/16 season. The 6’1”, 194-pound rearguard posted 3 goals and 37 assists for 40 points in 57 games played with the Vees while donning an ‘A’ on his sweater as part of the leadership group.
Transitioning to college hockey, the East Grand Forks, Minnesota native followed his brother Tucker’s footsteps in playing with the Fighting Hawks of North Dakota. Poolman suited up for 146 games with UND over his four-year collegiate career, scoring 18 goals and 57 assists for 75 points and captained North Dakota to a Penrose Cup to complete his college career as the Fighting Hawks were National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) regular season champions.
Poolman becomes the 5th player from the 2015/16 Vees squad to have inked a professional contract, joining forwards Tyson Jost (Colorado Avalanche/NHL), Nic Jones (Hartford Wolfpack/AHL), Scott Conway (Providence Bruins/AHL), Chris Gerrie (Wichita Thunder/ECHL) and defenseman Dante Fabbro (Nashville Predators/NHL). Colton adds to the family legacy of the Poolman name in the NHL, with brother Tucker currently playing for the Winnipeg Jets.
