Poul Popiel

Who is Poul Popiel?

Poul Peter Popiel is a retired NHL defenceman, and head coach. He played in the OHA, AHL, WHA, NHL, CPHL, and IHL. He played a brief 12 games in the IHL with the Muskegon Mohawks, then halfway through the year, he retired and became the head coach. He was the first player along with Garry Peters to win the Ken McKenzie Trophy. His younger brother Jan Popiel is also a former professional hockey player.

Popiel was in the news briefly in early 2007. The New York Islanders recalled Frans Nielsen and he made his NHL debut on January 6. At the time of his recall, the Islanders believed that Nielsen would be the first Danish-born player to play in the NHL. It turned out that Popiel had him beaten—by about forty-seven years.

Popiel had become an American citizen prior to his debut, however, leaving Nielsen with the honor of being the first Danish citizen to appear in an NHL game. Additionally, Nielsen is the first Danish NHL player at least partially trained in the Danish junior hockey system.