As a hockey player, Rudy Poeschek was not only tough physically, he also possessed a steel clad mind set geared towards attaining a career in pro hockey. He had only limited hockey skills at best, but was a fearless fighter who could absorb setbacks like Chuvalo took punches.
He played his junior hockey for the Kamloops Blazers from 1983 to 1987. Along the way, he was drafted 238th overall by the New York Rangers. It was a long way down the line, but Poeschek was willing to wait. He got in one game with the Rangers during his first pro campaign — like smelling the coffee as it was poured into the machine.
The next year, he picked up 52 games and a chance to measure his fists against the heavyweights of the league. He held his own quite well, but was again sent to the minors where he bounced around, picking up a few more games with the Rangers and later, the Winnipeg Jets before heading back to the AHL for two more seasons.
In 1993-94, however, the Tampa Bay Lightning were in need of some punch. They finally rewarded Poeschek for his years of patience, strapping on a holster and setting him loose on the league. As such, any liberties taken against Lightning players were settled by Poeschek who, between bouts, even managed to score his first five NHL goals over his four years with the club.
In 1997, the fan favorite was traded to the St. Louis Blues where he continued as an enforcer for three more seasons before heading to the minors with the Worcester Ice Cats of the AHL and the Houston Aeros of the IHL. – HHOF
In August 2014, Poeschek was charged with assault, driving while prohibited and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle after an alleged incident that took place in Kamloops, BC in July 2014. He was sentenced to 45 days in prison, had to pay a $1,500 fine, and is subject to a six month conditional sentence order that includes a ban on both driving and drinking.
Poeschek ‘s Pugilistic Pursuits
Rudy Poeschek vs Bob Probert Feb 2, 1994
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aHEd60faeI&w=560&h=315]Rudy Poeschek vs Mike Peluso Dec 1, 1995
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpEmX9uqxpE&w=560&h=315]Rudy Poeschek Fight Compilation
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgyw8r0cTXs&w=560&h=315]Rudy Poeschek vs Marty McSorley
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmo71PT4wHM&w=560&h=315]Rudy Poeschek
Defense
Born Sep 29 1966 -- Terrace, BC
Height 6.02 -- Weight 208 -- Shoots R
Selected by New York Rangers round 12 #238 overall 1985 NHL Entry Draft
--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1982-83 Vernon Lakers BCJHL 54 4 10 14 100
1983-84 Kamloops Junior Oilers WHL 47 3 9 12 93 8 0 2 2 7
1984-85 Kamloops Blazers WHL 34 6 7 13 100 15 0 3 3 56
1985-86 Kamloops Blazers WHL 32 3 13 16 92 16 3 7 10 40
1986-87 Kamloops Blazers WHL 54 13 18 31 153 13 1 4 5 39
1987-88 New York Rangers NHL 1 0 0 0 2 -- -- -- -- --
1987-88 Colorado Rangers IHL 82 7 31 38 210 12 2 2 4 31
1988-89 New York Rangers NHL 52 0 2 2 199 -- -- -- -- --
1988-89 Denver Rangers IHL 2 0 0 0 6 -- -- -- -- --
1989-90 New York Rangers NHL 15 0 0 0 55 -- -- -- -- --
1989-90 Flint Spirits IHL 38 8 13 21 109 4 0 0 0 16
1990-91 Binghamton Rangers AHL 38 1 3 4 162 -- -- -- -- --
1990-91 Moncton Hawks AHL 23 2 4 6 67 9 1 1 2 41
1990-91 Winnipeg Jets NHL 1 0 0 0 5 -- -- -- -- --
1991-92 Winnipeg Jets NHL 4 0 0 0 17 -- -- -- -- --
1991-92 Moncton Hawks AHL 63 4 17 21 170 11 0 2 2 46
1992-93 St. John's Maple Leafs AHL 78 7 24 31 189 9 0 4 4 13
1993-94 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 71 3 6 9 118 -- -- -- -- --
1994-95 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 25 1 1 2 92 -- -- -- -- --
1995-96 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 57 1 3 4 88 3 0 0 0 12
1996-97 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 60 0 6 6 120 -- -- -- -- --
1997-98 St. Louis Blues NHL 50 1 7 8 64 2 0 0 0 6
1998-99 St. Louis Blues NHL 16 0 0 0 33 -- -- -- -- --
1999-00 Houston Aeros IHL 32 2 6 8 51 -- -- -- -- --
1999-00 St. Louis Blues NHL 12 0 0 0 24 -- -- -- -- --
1999-00 Worcester IceCats AHL 5 0 0 0 4 -- -- -- -- --
2000-01 Houston Aeros IHL 67 3 13 16 66 7 0 0 0 8
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NHL Totals 364 6 25 31 817 5 0 0 0 18
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