TOM POTI

'Tom Poti' (born March 22, 1977 in Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.) is a NHL defenseman for the Washington Capitals. He attended Saint Peter-Marian High School for two years. A graduate of the Cushing Academy, Poti moved on to play for Boston University of Hockey East. At BU Poti became the first defenseman since Dave Archambault to win the Beanpot MVP. Poti was drafted in the third round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, 59th overall, by the Edmonton Oilers.
On March 19, 2002, the Rangers acquired Poti and Rem Murray in exchange for Mike York and a fourth round selection in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Poti was the point man on New York's top power-play unit until Fedor Tyutin took over. During his time with the Rangers, Poti became unpopular with his team's fans, to the point that he was booed at home whenever he touched the puck and cheered when he left the ice for a player change.^[1][2]
In the summer of 2006 Poti signed as a free agent with the Rangers' crosstown rival New York Islanders. He has continued to hear choruses of boos when he touches the puck at Madison Square Garden.
On July 1, 2007, Poti signed a four-year deal with the Washington Capitals worth $3.5 million per year.
Poti suffers from severe food allergies. Contact with such foods as chocolate, peanuts, and MSG can be potentially lethal. Poti carries a syringe filled with epinephrine at all times.^[3]
[4]
Poti is also a fan of the New York Yankees despite being from Massachusetts where the Yankees biggest rivals the Boston Red Sox play.

Contents

Awards

References

Awards

★ Named to NHL All-Rookie Team in 1998.

References

1. http://www.nysportsexpress.com/1/21/departments/NHL.cfm
2. http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2006/07/08/poti-islanders.html
3. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/NYIslanders/2006/09/06/1807241-ca.html
4. http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=288915 Isles' Poti has learned to live with severe allergies