Austin Poganski Bio
Austin Richard Poganski is an American professional ice hockey forward currently playing with the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League (AHL). Born on February 16, 1996, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, he developed his game in Minnesota before advancing through the United States Hockey League (USHL) and the collegiate ranks at the University of North Dakota. Poganski was selected by the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL) as the 110th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, and he has since appeared in the NHL with the Blues, Winnipeg Jets, and Seattle Kraken organization.
Listed at 188 cm and 93 kg, Poganski plays a checking-line forward role and has built a professional career spanning multiple organizations in both the NHL and AHL. After completing his collegiate career, he signed his first professional contract in March 2018 and has continued to work at the top levels of North American hockey.
Early Life and Background
Austin Richard Poganski was born on February 16, 1996, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, to parents Rick and Kim Poganski. He grew up in a hockey household in central Minnesota, where the sport is deeply embedded in the local culture. Several members of his family competed for the St. Cloud State Huskies, a program he grew up cheering for as a young fan.
Poganski first learned to skate on a neighbour’s outdoor rink, an experience that introduced him to the game during his early childhood. He joined a junior mites team when he was around seven years old, and the combination of family influence and Minnesota’s winter climate helped shape his early development. These formative years in St. Cloud provided the foundation for his move into higher-level amateur hockey.
As a teenager, Poganski skated for the Junior Sioux AAA program, a competitive amateur team in the Upper Midwest. His play at that level drew attention from collegiate scouts and led him to consider playing NCAA Division I hockey. He ultimately committed to the University of North Dakota, choosing the Fighting Sioux over staying closer to home.
Path to Hockey
Poganski advanced to the United States Hockey League, joining the Tri-City Storm for his junior career. The USHL is widely regarded as the top junior league in the United States and serves as a primary feeder to NCAA Division I programs and the NHL Draft. His play with the Storm helped establish him as a legitimate NHL prospect heading into his draft year.
Prior to his freshman season at the University of North Dakota, Poganski was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fourth round, 110th overall, at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Being drafted gave him a clear professional pathway, and he continued his development in the NCAA rather than turning pro immediately. He balanced his studies with a demanding hockey schedule at one of the most storied programs in college hockey.
During his time at North Dakota, Poganski experienced both team and personal success. He won a national championship with the Fighting Sioux during the 2015–16 season, and in his senior year, 2017–18, he served as team captain. Those leadership and championship experiences prepared him for the rigors of professional hockey after he completed his degree.
Austin Poganski Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
On March 26, 2018, after completing his senior season at the University of North Dakota, Poganski signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues. He finished the 2017–18 season with the Blues’ American Hockey League affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, beginning his professional career in the AHL.
The transition to professional hockey required adjustment, as Poganski moved from college to a full 72-game AHL schedule with the Rampage. The experience gave him a chance to refine his two-way game and adjust to the pace and physicality of the professional ranks.
St. Louis Blues Era (2018–2021)
Poganski spent the majority of the 2018–19 and the start of the 2019–20 seasons in the AHL with the Rampage. He earned his first NHL recall late in 2019, and on December 10, 2019, he made his NHL debut for the Blues against the Buffalo Sabres, playing on the fourth line with Mackenzie MacEachern and Jacob de la Rose. He was returned to the Rampage on December 13 and finished that season in the AHL.
On October 18, 2020, Poganski signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Blues. In the pandemic-delayed and shortened 2020–21 season, he remained on the Blues roster and was primarily assigned to the club’s extended taxi squad. Over the course of that season, he was limited to just five games and went scoreless at the NHL level.
Winnipeg Jets Era (2021–2022)
As an unrestricted free agent from the Blues, Poganski signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Winnipeg Jets on July 31, 2021. He was initially assigned to Winnipeg’s AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, before being recalled after several players were placed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list.
Poganski appeared in 16 games with the Jets during the 2021–22 season but went scoreless. On March 3, 2022, he was placed on waivers; after going unclaimed, he was returned to the Manitoba Moose for the remainder of the year.
Seattle Kraken Era (2022–2023)
At the conclusion of his contract with the Jets, Poganski signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Seattle Kraken as an unrestricted free agent on July 13, 2022. He was placed on waivers on October 2, 2022, and after going unclaimed, was assigned to Seattle’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, for their inaugural season.
Poganski spent the entire 2022–23 campaign with Coachella Valley. The Firebirds advanced to the Calder Cup Finals, where they were defeated by the Hershey Bears in seven games. Despite the loss, the deep playoff run marked one of the most significant achievements of his professional career.
Tucson Roadrunners Era (2023–Present)
After leaving the Kraken as a free agent, Poganski went unsigned through part of the summer. He accepted a professional tryout contract (PTO) to attend the Arizona Coyotes’ 2023 training camp and was later released to sign a PTO with their AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, to begin the 2023–24 season.
Poganski has remained with Tucson since joining the organization and has continued to play a depth forward role in the AHL. His path back into professional hockey through a tryout arrangement reflects the perseverance that has defined his career in the years since his college championship.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Poganski’s career are his 2015–16 NCAA national championship with the University of North Dakota and his NHL debut with the St. Louis Blues on December 10, 2019. His run to the 2023 Calder Cup Finals with the Coachella Valley Firebirds stands as another signature moment, even though his team fell one win short of the title.
Austin Poganski Career Wins
Poganski’s career is highlighted by team championships and playoff runs rather than a long list of individual victories. His most notable title came at the collegiate level, while his most prominent professional achievement was reaching the AHL’s Calder Cup Finals with the Coachella Valley Firebirds in 2022–23.
NCAA Championship
Poganski won the NCAA Division I national championship with the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux during the 2015–16 season. As a member of that roster, he contributed to one of the most storied programs in college hockey history and earned championship experience that shaped his approach as a professional.
AHL Playoff Run
In 2022–23, Poganski was a member of the Coachella Valley Firebirds, who advanced all the way to the Calder Cup Finals in their inaugural season. The Firebirds were ultimately defeated by the Hershey Bears in a seven-game series, but the deep playoff run established Poganski as a reliable depth contributor in high-pressure situations.
Austin Poganski Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Poganski comes from a hockey-oriented family based in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He is the son of Rick Poganski and Kim Poganski, and several members of his extended family competed for the St. Cloud State Huskies program. That family connection to the sport helped shape his early introduction to skating on a neighbour’s outdoor rink.
Personal Life
Poganski was raised in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where his family ties to St. Cloud State University remain a defining part of his personal background. Public information about his broader personal life, including marital status, is not widely confirmed, and he has generally kept that side of his life out of the public spotlight.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Austin Richard Poganski continues his tenure with the Tucson Roadrunners, the AHL affiliate of the Utah Hockey Club organization. After re-establishing himself on a professional tryout in 2023, he has worked to maintain a consistent role as a checking-line forward in the desert.
Poganski’s value to the Roadrunners comes from his defensive responsibility, penalty-killing ability, and veteran presence in a young AHL lineup. His experience of winning a national championship at North Dakota and reaching the Calder Cup Finals with Coachella Valley gives him credibility in the locker room as a player who has performed on big stages.
Throughout the 2025 season, Poganski is expected to remain a steady depth presence for Tucson, contributing in a bottom-six role and providing leadership to the club’s developing prospects. His primary focus will be on helping the Roadrunners compete in the AHL’s Pacific Division and positioning himself for another professional opportunity.