Tucker Poolman reveals the rare disease that forced him to retire from the NHL
Tucker Poolman is finally ready to tell the world why his NHL career came to a screeching, mysterious halt at the height of his career.
The East Grand Forks native has been fighting a battle that no scouting report could have ever predicted.
For years, the hockey world wondered why a steady, right-shot defender with a premium price tag just vanished from the Vancouver Canucks’ blueline.
It wasn't a blown-out knee or a concussed brain that sidelined him, but a rare autoimmune disease called Autoimmune Autonomic Ganglionopathy.
Poolman describes his body 'short-circuiting,' dealing with dizzy spells and numbness that made the simple act of walking a monumental challenge.
He signed that massive four-year, $10-million deal in Vancouver and barely got to enjoy the fruit of his labor before the 'lights started dimming.'
Imagine being a pro athlete and suddenly needing your wife to guide you around the house because you can't trust your own vision.
Poolman is turning his pain into a coaching masterclass
After dozens of visits to the Mayo Clinic and countless infusions, the man who was once the only EGF product in the show has found a new purpose.
He spent last season behind the bench for the East Grand Forks Green Wave, helping lead the boys to a Class A state championship.
It is the ultimate silver lining for a guy whose body gave out just as his bank account caught up to his undeniable work ethic.
He isn't bitter about the $10 million contract or the missed games; he’s just grateful to be a present father to his two young kids.
The NHL grind is a beast, but managing a chronic condition requires a level of grit that most players never have to find.
Poolman is living proof that life doesn't end when the skates are hung up, even if the exit wasn't on his own terms.
He’s moving to Brainerd soon, taking his lessons from the ice and his faith in the future to a community that will embrace him.
The big guy may not be patrolling the Canucks' blueline anymore, but he’s winning the biggest game of his life right now.
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