Walt Poddubny's name might not resonate with all hockey fans today, but for a brief, shining moment in the late 1980s, he was a star in New York. His time with the Rangers was short, yet unforgettable, and his subsequent struggles serve as a stark reminder of the challenges many athletes face after their playing days are over.
Born on February 14, 1960, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Walter Michael Poddubny began his junior hockey career in 1978. He played for the Brandon Wheat Kings, Kitchener Rangers, and Kingston Canadiens. In the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, the Edmonton Oilers selected Poddubny in the fifth round, 90th overall. Unable to crack the Oilers' star-studded lineup, he spent most of two seasons in the minor leagues with the Wichita Wind. On March 8, 1982, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Poddubny's career took a significant turn when the New York Rangers acquired him from the Toronto Maple Leafs on August 18, 1986, in exchange for Mike Allison. At the time, many considered this trade to be one of the best made by Rangers General Manager Phil Esposito. Poddubny, previously a relatively unknown player, exploded onto the NHL scene. In his first season with the Rangers (1986-87), he scored 40 goals and added 47 assists for a total of 87 points in 75 games. He followed that performance with another stellar season in 1987-88, tallying 38 goals and 50 assists for 88 points. During both seasons, he led the Rangers in scoring.
His time with the Rangers saw Poddubny receive the New York Rangers Fan Club's Frank Boucher Trophy for being the most popular player on and off the ice, in both years. The Professional Hockey Writers Association also awarded him the team's Most Valuable Player Award in 1987.
Despite his offensive success, Poddubny's tenure with the Rangers was surprisingly brief. On August 1, 1988, he was traded to the Quebec Nordiques along with Jari Grönstrand, Bruce Bell, and a draft pick, in exchange for Normand Rochefort and Jason Lafreniere. Esposito felt the team needed to improve defensively. Head coach Michel Bergeron also expressed concerns about Poddubny's checking game and face-off skills.
After a single season with the Nordiques, where he still managed to score 38 goals, Poddubny was traded to the New Jersey Devils on June 17, 1989. However, his career began to decline due to damaged knees. After a short stint with the Devils, he retired from the NHL in 1991. He attempted a comeback with the Worcester Ice Cats of the AHL but retired for good in 1995. In his NHL career, Poddubny played 468 games, scoring 184 goals and 238 assists for 422 points.
After his playing career, Poddubny coached several hockey teams, including six seasons as head coach of the Anchorage Aces. However, life after hockey was not easy for him. In his own words, "People think if you played in the NHL, you're set for life. It's not like that for everyone". Tragically, on March 21, 2009, Walt Poddubny died of a heart attack at the age of 49 after collapsing at his sister's house in Thunder Bay. He was living in her basement at the time. His untimely death was a poignant reminder of the struggles some athletes face after their careers end. Despite his short time as a star, Poddubny left a lasting impression on Rangers fans and is remembered as a player who brought excitement to Madison Square Garden.
