Sam Poulin Bio
Samuel Poulin is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward for the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 21st overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the 2019 NHL entry draft. Poulin has spent his early professional career developing between the AHL and NHL, working his way through the Pittsburgh Penguins organization before being traded to Edmonton in December 2025.
Early Life and Background
Samuel Poulin was born on February 25, 2001, in Blainville, Quebec, Canada. He grew up in a hockey family, with his father, Patrick Poulin, having enjoyed a long professional career of his own. Patrick was chosen ninth overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1991 NHL entry draft and went on to score 101 goals in 634 career NHL games across 11 seasons from 1991 to 2002.
During his playing days, Patrick Poulin suited up for the Hartford Whalers, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Montreal Canadiens, giving his son an early and direct connection to the realities of life as a professional hockey player. Poulin’s godfather is former NHL goaltender Jocelyn Thibault, who later served as the general manager of the Sherbrooke Phoenix, the junior team where Sam would begin his own competitive career.
Path to Hockey
Poulin developed through the Quebec minor hockey system and emerged as a top prospect heading into his major junior draft year. He was selected by the Sherbrooke Phoenix of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in the 2017 QMJHL Draft, marking his first major step toward a professional career. His strong play for Sherbrooke quickly caught the attention of NHL scouts across the league.
Following his second season with the Phoenix, Poulin was drafted 21st overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the 2019 NHL entry draft. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins on September 22, 2019, and was named Sherbrooke’s captain during his final two seasons with the team from 2019 to 2021. In January 2021, Sherbrooke traded Poulin to the Val-d’Or Foreurs, where he closed out his major junior career before turning professional.
Sam Poulin Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
After signing his entry-level deal with Pittsburgh in 2019, Poulin spent the remainder of his junior career split between Sherbrooke and Val-d’Or, balancing leadership duties with NHL prospect development. Serving as captain in Sherbrooke showed the Penguins organization that he could handle responsibility on and off the ice at a young age.
His final junior seasons helped solidify his two-way game and his ability to produce offensively in important situations. Those performances paved the way for his transition to professional hockey and his eventual NHL debut.
AHL and NHL Breakthrough (2021–2024)
Poulin made his professional debut for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League during the 2021–22 AHL season. He adjusted to the pace and physicality of the professional game while continuing to refine his skills under the Penguins’ development staff.
On October 25, 2022, Poulin made his NHL debut and recorded one assist for his first career NHL point in a 4–1 loss to the Calgary Flames. Later that season, in December 2022, he took a leave of absence from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to address mental health concerns after suffering a panic attack during a game. He returned to the lineup in March 2023 and continued his development through the rest of the AHL campaign.
Poulin began the 2023–24 AHL season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton but faced injuries along the way. He suffered a high-ankle sprain on October 29, 2023, returning on December 16, and then sustained a separate lower-body injury on February 3, returning on March 1. Despite the setbacks, Pittsburgh re-signed Poulin to a two-year contract extension on April 29, 2024, reflecting continued confidence in his trajectory.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2025–Present)
On December 12, 2025, Pittsburgh traded Poulin and goaltender Tristan Jarry to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for goaltender Stuart Skinner, defenceman Brett Kulak, and a 2029 second-round draft pick. The move gave Poulin a fresh start within a new organization and placed him under contract with an Oilers team that competes at the top of the Western Conference.
Following the trade, Poulin joined the Bakersfield Condors, Edmonton’s AHL affiliate, where he continued to play as a forward. His role within the Oilers’ system provides him with an opportunity to compete for NHL games while contributing to Bakersfield’s push in the AHL standings.
Driving Style and Strengths
Poulin is recognized as a responsible two-way forward with good size and a mature approach to the game. Listed at 188 centimeters and 98 kilograms, he uses his frame to win battles along the boards and plays a reliable defensive game while still contributing offensively. His leadership experience as a junior captain has translated into a steady presence at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Poulin’s standout moments are his first-round selection in the 2019 NHL Draft, his NHL debut on October 25, 2022, where he picked up an assist against the Calgary Flames, and his trade to the Edmonton Oilers organization on December 12, 2025. On April 15, 2025, Poulin was named Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Man of the Year for the 2024–25 AHL season, recognizing his contributions both on and off the ice.
Sam Poulin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the Poulin family. His father, Patrick Poulin, played 11 NHL seasons from 1991 to 2002 and recorded 101 goals across 634 games, suiting up for the Hartford Whalers, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Montreal Canadiens. Patrick was also a ninth-overall pick in 1991, giving Sam a clear picture of what top-level preparation and perseverance look like.
Personal Life
Beyond his close ties to the game through family, Poulin has been open about prioritizing his mental health. In December 2022, he stepped away from play to address a panic attack and related concerns, a decision that drew support across the hockey community. He has since returned to action and continued his professional career with Pittsburgh and, later, Edmonton.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been transformative for Samuel Poulin. He started the season within the Pittsburgh Penguins organization and was named Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Man of the Year on April 15, 2025, a meaningful recognition of his impact during the 2024–25 AHL campaign.
The defining moment came on December 12, 2025, when he was traded, along with goaltender Tristan Jarry, to the Edmonton Oilers. The deal signaled a fresh chapter and placed Poulin within a Stanley Cup contender’s development pipeline, with the Bakersfield Condors serving as his primary base.
Looking ahead within the Oilers’ system, Poulin’s combination of size, two-way play, and leadership experience gives him a credible path to NHL opportunities. His performance with Bakersfield will be closely watched as he works toward an expanded role at the top level.