Well flip my burger, it's Patrick Poulin

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Came across this post in the Habs newsgroup:

From: Kyle ([e-mail])
Subject: Re: Montreal Alumni Question - Patrick Poulin
Newsgroups: alt.sports.hockey.nhl.mtl-canadiens
Date: 2004-01-22 20:10:41 PST

I kid you not, this is a true story:

I went to H. Gregoire (a used car lot in St. Eustache) this past November with my roomate to pick up his new Jeep, but when we got there, his paper work wasn't ready, so we went to the local Burger King to eat. I noticed a signed poster of a Hab in the entrance, but the sunlight glared out his face, all I could tell was that it was #37. I thought to myself "What does Niklas Sundstrom have to do with a Burger King here?" Then I put 2 and 2 together. While ordering my whopper trio I noticed a tall, built blond dude in the back making our order. When the light bulb went on I looked closer and there he was: Mr. Patrick Poulin was in the back flipping burgers. I nuts YOU NOT.

Obviously he isn't just a burger flipper, he's the owner of the Burger King there, but he was in the back getting his hands dirty learning the fast food business. I couldn't stop laughing for the rest of the week. Patrick Poulin made ME lunch! Of course I paid him for it, but then again, I did pay for Habs tickets while he was a part of the team and he never rewarded me. Not once. At least this time he gave me a burger, fry and drink for my hard earned money. : )

So there you have it. If you're wondering where Patrick Poulin is, take a roadie out to St. Eustache and take a look behind the counter. The former Habs great may be making you lunch too.

*

Then there's the priceless response:

From: Yves ([e-mail])
Subject: Re: Montreal Alumni Question - Patrick Poulin
Newsgroups: alt.sports.hockey.nhl.mtl-canadiens
Date: 2004-01-22 21:01:32 PST

Kyle, he still gets the last laugh buddy, he's still taking your money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yves

[CentreHice]

Hey, Mr. B. I did some research on Poulin, but I would really like to know why he isn't playing any longer...he's not even 31 yet. Here's what I did find out.

1st round pick (#9 overall in 1991) by the Hartford Whalers.
1991-92 CHL - Player of the Year (Canadian Major Junior)
1991-92 QMJHL - Jean Beliveau Trophy (Leading scorer)
1991-92 QMJHL - First All-Star Team

While he may be financially set, would you consider his career in terms of promise and size (6'1", 210) a disappointment?

Seems every time a trade was made, he was in it.
Hartford to Chicago to Tampa Bay to Montreal.

Even though Hartford was brutal, his rookie year was his best point-wise (51).
His complete year in Chicago took him to the final four where they lost in 5 close games to the Red Wings (3 OT wins for Detroit).
Tampa Bay was a bust...then on to Montreal with Ulanov and Vukota for Tucker, Richer, and Wilkie in 97/98. He was only 24 years old but posted very anemic numbers in his 277 games (31 G, 44 A) with albeit one of the weakest editions of the Habs, who missed the playoffs in 3 of his 4+ seasons. In 01/02 he was demoted to the Citadelles and never returned. At the ripe old age of 29....what happened to him?

Total NHL
GP 634
G 101
A 134
PTS 235
+/- -30