Walter Michael Poddubny (February 14, 1960 – March 21, 2009) was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and coach who played eleven seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1981–82 until 1991–92. He played 468 career NHL games, scoring 184 goals and 238 assists for 422 points.

Career Poddubny was drafted 90th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980 NHL entry draft.1980 NHL Entry Draft — The Internet Hockey Database. He spent most of the 1981–82 season with the Wichita Wind where he had 35 goals and 46 assists in 60 games. He was traded along with Phil Drouillard from the Oilers to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Laurie Boschman on March 8, 1982."Maple Leafs' center Laurie Boschman is bound for the...," United Press International (UPI), Tuesday, March 9, 1982. Retrieved August 7, 2023.

He was acquired by the New York Rangers from the Maple Leafs for Mike Allison on August 18, 1986,"The New York Rangers Monday traded center Mike Allison...," United Press International (UPI), Monday, August 18, 1986. Retrieved August 7, 2023. in a trade considered to be Phil Esposito's best during his three years as the team's general manager.Kreiser, John & Friedman, Lou. The New York Rangers: Broadway's Longest-Running Hit. Champaign, IL: Sagamore Publishing, 1996. Poddubny was the leading scorer in each of his only two Rangers campaigns, with 87 points (40 goals, 47 assists) in 1986–87 and 88 (38 goals, 50 assists) the following season.1986–87 New York Rangers (NHL) – The Internet Hockey Database.1987–88 New York Rangers (NHL) – The Internet Hockey Database. He was the recipient of the New York Rangers Fan Club's Frank Boucher Trophy for the most popular player on and off the ice in both years, and the team's Most Valuable Player Award from the Professional Hockey Writers Association in 1987.New York Rangers 2000–2001 Media Guide.

Despite coming off a season as the Rangers' top scorer, he was traded along with Jari Grönstrand, Bruce Bell and a fourth-round selection in the 1989 NHL entry draft (76th overall–Éric Dubois) to the Quebec Nordiques for Normand Rochefort and Jason Lafreniere on August 1, 1988. Esposito felt the team needed to improve its defense after losing 17 games by one goal and missing the playoffs. He was also disappointed with Poddubny's failure to win face-offs, while head coach Michel Bergeron expressed displeasure with the quality of his checking game.Rogers, Thomas. "N.H.L.: Poddubny Traded to the Nordiques," The New York Times, Tuesday, August 2, 1988. Retrieved August 7, 2023.1989 NHL Entry Draft Pick Transactions, June 17 – Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved August 7, 2023. Following a productive season in 1988–89 with the Nordiques that saw Poddubny score 38 goals in 72 games played, his playing career began to decline from damaged knees.

After his lone season with the Nordiques, Poddubny was sent to the New Jersey Devils for Claude Loiselle and Joe Cirella on June 17, 1989."Devils Add Poddubny in One of 3 Trades," The Associated Press (AP), Sunday, June 18, 1989. Retrieved August 7, 2023.

After his career in the NHL, Poddubny coached several hockey teams including six seasons as head coach of the Anchorage Aces. Life after the NHL wasn't easy for him, and he once said, "People think if you played in the NHL, you're set for life. It's not like that for everyone."

Poddubny died of a heart attack at the age of 49, after collapsing at his sister's house in Thunder Bay.

Career statistics

Ice hockey     Regular season   Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1978–79Brandon Wheat KingsWHL2011112212————— 1979–80Kitchener RangersOMJHL19391235————— 1979–80Kingston CanadiansOMJHL433017473630220 1980–81Milwaukee AdmiralsIHL54264————— 1980–81Wichita WindCHL702129502071116726 1981–82Wichita WindCHL6035468179————— 1981–82Edmonton OilersNHL40000————— 1981–82Toronto Maple LeafsNHL113478————— 1982–83Toronto Maple LeafsNHL722831597143140 1983–84Toronto Maple LeafsNHL3811142548————— 1984–85St. Catharines SaintsAHL8571210————— 1984–85Toronto Maple LeafsNHL325152026————— 1985–86St. Catharines SaintsAHL3728275552————— 1985–86Toronto Maple LeafsNHL331222342594154 1986–87New York RangersNHL754047874960008 1987–88New York RangersNHL7738508876————— 1988–89Quebec NordiquesNHL72383775107————— 1989–90Utica DevilsAHL21230————— 1989–90New Jersey DevilsNHL334101428————— 1990–91New Jersey DevilsNHL14461010————— 1991–92New Jersey DevilsNHL71236————— 1992–93EC Bad NauheimDEU II4435417614995152015 1993–94HC FassaITA923519————— 1993–94EC Bad NauheimDEU III37404686115————— 1994–95Worcester IceCatsAHL34761362————— NHL totals4681842384224541972912

Roller hockey     Regular season   Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1994Las Vegas FlashRHI1921264732 1995Orlando RollergatorsRHI107101712 RHI totals2928366444

Coaching       Season Team League Type GP W L T OTL Pct Result 1994–95Orlando RollergatorsRHIHead Coach23716000.304 1995–96Daytona Beach BreakersSHLHead Coach603320700.608Lost in round 1 1996–97Anchorage AcesWCHLHead Coach644118050.68Lost in finals 1997–98Anchorage AcesWCHLHead Coach643620080.625Lost in round 2 1998–99Anchorage AcesWCHLHead Coach714622030.669Lost in round 2 1999–00Anchorage AcesWCHLHead Coach‡563021050.58 2000–01Anchorage AcesWCHLHead Coach722741040.403 2001–02Anchorage AcesWCHLHead Coach‡40926050.287Lost in round 1 ‡ - Midseason Replacement

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