Predators GM Poile tops U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame class

David Poile will be honored this winter for a lifetime in hockey. He believes he still has plenty left to do.

The Nashville Predators general manager is the headliner for the 2018 class of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Former University of Michigan coach Red Berenson, three-time Olympic medalist Natalie Darwitz, retired NHL referee Paul Stewart, Poile and the late Leland “Hago” Harrington will be inducted on Dec. 12 at a ceremony in Nashville.

“I’m very motivated,” Poile said on a conference call Thursday. “Honestly, it’s things like this that motivate you.”

Poile has run an NHL team the past 36 seasons, including 15 with the Washington Capitals and 21 with the Predators. He has the most victories of any GM in league history. The U.S. won a silver medal at the 2010 Olympics with Poile as assistant GM, and he was GM of the 2014 Olympic team.

“It’s just a great, great game,” Poile said. “I don’t really see myself not doing something in hockey . ... ”