Tom Poti

Thomas Emilio Poti (born March 22, 1977) is an ice hockey defenseman and an alternate captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League. He attended Saint Peter-Marian High School for two years. A graduate of the Cushing Academy, Poti moved on to play for Boston University of Hockey East. At BU Poti became the first defenseman since Dave Archambault to win the Beanpot MVP. Poti was drafted in the third round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, 59th overall, by the Edmonton Oilers.

On March 19, 2002, the Rangers acquired Poti and Rem Murray in exchange for Mike York and a fourth round selection in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Poti was the point man on New York's top power-play unit until Fedor Tyutin took over. During his time with the Rangers, Poti became unpopular with his team's fans, to the point that he was booed at home whenever he touched the puck and cheered when he left the ice for a player change.

In the summer of 2006 Poti signed as a free agent with the Rangers' crosstown rival New York Islanders. He continued to hear choruses of boos when he touched the puck at Madison Square Garden.

On July 1, 2007, Poti signed a four-year deal with the Washington Capitals worth $3.5 million per year.

Poti won his first playoff series with the Washington Capitals when they eliminated the Rangers in 7 games on 28 April 2009.

Poti suffers from severe food allergies. Contact with such foods as chocolate, peanuts, and Monosodium glutamate can be potentially lethal. Poti carries an EpiPen epinephrine auto-injector at all times.

Awards

 * Named to NHL All-Rookie Team in 1999.