John’ Johnny’ Pohl only spent the better part of one season with the Toronto Marlies but left a lasting legacy.

The Minnesota native was drafted by the St. Louis Blues 255th overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

Signed by the Blues, Pohl made his professional debut in 2002 for the Worcester IceCats of the AHL.

In 2003 the forward would also represent the USA at the World Championships. The lone time he would suit up for his nation.

Pohl made his NHL debut in his second season with St. Louis but that would prove his lone appearance for the Blues.

His third season was limited to just thirteen games and in the August of 2005, St. Louis traded the centreman to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for future considerations.

As per the Minnesota Daily, Pohl almost quit the sport. https://mndaily.com/231634/uncategorized/transition-former-gophers-hockey-star-john-pohl/

Of his time floundering in the [St. Louis Blues] organization, Pohl said: “I didn’t really fit in well, and I didn’t like it. I thought about quitting after my second year, I thought about quitting after my third year, and then I got traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs which was just a breath of fresh air.”

A change of scenario worked pretty well for Pohl.

Although he was reassigned to the AHL, it was the inaugural season for the Toronto Marlies and therefore no need to pack his gear and head out east.

Despite playing far fewer games than his teammates (60), Pohl led the Toronto Marlies in goals (36) and points (75).

His thirty-six goals remain the highest single-season total in franchise history.

It took until 2008-09 for his 75-point total to be surpassed, with Tim Stapleton recording 79 that season. The pair would later become teammates in Chicago.

Only two other players in Marlies’ franchise history (T.J. Brennan, Jeremy Bracco) have accrued 70+ points which gives you a better idea of the nature of the feat.

Impressive play at the AHL level resulted in an extended call-up to the NHL compared to his opportunity in St. Louis.

Pohl netted his first NHL goals and recorded four points (3G/1A) in seven games.

After two more seasons with the Leafs, Pohl opted to test the waters in Europe.

He split the 2008-09 campaign between Switzerland and Sweden, playing for HC Lugano and Frölunda HC, respectively.

It was back to the AHL the following summer, signing with the Chicago Wolves for what would be his final season in professional hockey.

Pohl finished fifth in team scoring with 53 points (20G/33A) helping the Wolves qualify for the playoffs after missing out the season before.

There was no fairytale ending as Chicago lost in the second round to eventualist finalists Texas Stars. It was a wild seven-game series in which both teams held a series lead and three games required overtime including the decider.

Having married his long-time girlfriend in 2007, the pair would settle down in Minnesota after Pohl’s retirement. His now-wife Krissy Wendell was also a fantastic player for the University of Minnesota and Team USA.

In fact, the pair have both been inducted into the Minnesota Gophers Hall of Fame, albeit Krissy was given that honour almost a decade before her husband!

In retirement, Pohl has gone into the field of teaching.

Initially at a Catholic school within a business department before taking on an athletic director role at the Hill-Murray High School in Minnesota.

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