Andrew Poturalski

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Andrew Poturalski

| image = {{CSS image crop |Image=Andrew Poturalski with the 2022 Calder Cup.jpg |bSize=500 |cWidth=230|cHeight=280 |oTop=25 |oLeft=120 |Location=center}}

| caption = Poturalski with the Chicago Wolves in 2022

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|1|14}}

| birth_place = Williamsville, New York, U.S.

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 10

| weight_lb = 190

| shoots = Right

| team = San Jose Sharks

| league = NHL

| prospect_team = San Jose Barracuda

| prospect_league = AHL

| former_teams = Carolina Hurricanes
Seattle Kraken

| position = Center

| draft = Undrafted

| career_start = 2016

| career_end =

}}

Andrew Poturalski (born January 14, 1994) is an American professional ice hockey center for the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL).

He is a two-time winner of the American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup in 2019 and 2022. He is also a three-time John B. Sollenberger Trophy winner as the AHL's leading scorer for the season, one of only three players to achieve that feat, and received the Les Cunningham Award as the most valuable player of the 2024–25 AHL season.

Early life

Poturalski was born on January 14, 1994, in Williamsville, New York to parents Joseph and Diane.{{cite web |title=Andrew Poturalski |url=https://unhwildcats.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/andrew-poturalski/4302 |publisher=University of New Hampshire |access-date=July 19, 2022}} His mother formerly played softball at Iowa and Erie Community College{{cite news |last1=Hoppe |first1=Bill |title=Williamsville's Andrew Poturalski hoping for another NHL chance with Carolina |url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/sabres/williamsvilles-andrew-poturalski-hoping-for-another-nhl-chance-with-carolina/article_c9be9fad-5d93-5b6e-a60a-2bc1996e0f26.html |access-date=July 19, 2022 |publisher=Buffalo News |date=February 23, 2019}} while his father is a football officiator.{{cite web |last1=Mussen |first1=Dale |title=LOCAL PLAYER MAKES NHL DEBUT |url=https://wyrk.com/local-player-makes-nhl-debut/|website=wyrk.com|access-date=July 19, 2022 |date=April 5, 2017}} Poturalski originally wished to play goaltender but his parents convinced him to be a skater due to the price of goalie equipment.{{cite web |last1=Sullivan |first1=Jerry |title=Sullivan: Williamsville's Andrew Poturalski still grinding for his next shot in the NHL |url=https://www.wivb.com/jerry-sullivan/sullivan-williamsvilles-andrew-poturalski-still-grinding-for-his-next-shot-in-the-nhl/ |publisher=WIVB |access-date=July 19, 2022 |date=October 28, 2021}}

Playing career

=Amateur=

Growing up in New York, Poturalski played midget ice hockey with the Wheatfield Blades under former NHL player Peter Scamurra.{{cite news |last1=Kirst |first1=Sean |title=AHL's Calder Cup comes to Snyder for wings, hot dogs, beer |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/local/ahls-calder-cup-comes-to-snyder-for-wings-hot-dogs-beer/article_fad1fe6a-c85a-584a-a943-b17398b24549.html|access-date=July 19, 2022 |publisher=The Buffalo News |date=August 26, 2019}} He then enrolled at Nichols School and played on their varsity ice hockey team in the Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario Athletic Association for three seasons.{{cite web |title=Former Buffalo Jr. Sabres Leads AHL In Points, Assists |url=http://ojhl.pointstreaksites.com/view/ojhl/news-21/news_534648 |publisher=OJHL |access-date=July 19, 2022 |date=May 13, 2021}} While attending Nichols School in 2011, Poturalski joined the Ontario Junior Hockey League's Buffalo Jr. Sabres. Early in his rookie season, he confirmed his commitment to join the New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey for the 2013–14 Hockey East season.{{cite web |title=Poturalski {{as written|Com|mited [sic]}} To UNH |url=http://www.pointstreaksites.com/view/ojhl/news-21/news_33236 |publisher=OJHL |access-date=July 19, 2022 |date=October 4, 2011}} By the end of October, Poturalski was named to the NHL Central Scouting preliminary "Watch List" for the 2012 NHL entry draft. At the time, he was tied for fourth in OJHL in scoring with 27 points as well as third with 17 assists.{{cite web |title=OJHL Young Stars On NHL Watch List |url=http://ojhl.pointstreaksites.com/view/ojhl/news-21/news_34847 |publisher=OJHL |access-date=July 19, 2022 |date=October 24, 2011}} Poturalski finished the 2011–12 OJHL season with 16 goals and 22 assists in 33 regular season games before being loaned to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in the United States Hockey League.{{cite web |title=Poturalski preps for playoffs... in USHL |url=http://pointstreaksites.com/view/buffalojrsabres/news-archive/news_42938 |publisher=OJHL |access-date=July 19, 2022 |date=February 9, 2012}} However, after playing in two games and recording three points, Poturalski's season was cut short due to a broken ankle. He then broke his fibula in a "freak on-ice accident" as he prepared over the summer for the following season.{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Jeff |title=Poturalski finally plays, prospers with RoughRiders |url=https://www.thegazette.com/minor-league-sports/poturalski-finally-plays-prospers-with-roughriders/ |access-date=July 19, 2022 |publisher=The Gazette |date=October 25, 2012}}

After rehabbing his ankle, Poturalski made his 2012–13 USHL season debut mid-October and immediately scored three goals and recorded two assists. His first goal proved to be the game-winner in a 4–3 victory over the Indiana Ice while he then collected a career-high four points in a 7–5 win. As a result, Poturalski was named the co-recipient of the CCM Forward of the Week on October 23.{{cite web |title=Poturalski, Ortega, Ericsson, Anderson, Ellis, earn weekly USHL honors |url=https://prohockeynews.com/poturalski-ortega-ericsson-anderson-ellis-earn-weekly-ushl-honors/ |publisher=Pro Hockey News |access-date=July 19, 2022 |date=October 23, 2012}}

=College=

In his sophomore season with the Wildcats in 2015–16, Poturalski led the team and conference in scoring with 52 points in just 37 games. Earning select to the East First-Star Team and named as a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, Poturalski opted to leave college early to pursue a professional career, in agreeing to a two-year entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on March 9, 2016.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/hurricanes-agree-to-terms-with-poturalski/c-872683 | title = Hurricanes agree to terms with Poturalski | publisher = Carolina Hurricanes | date = March 9, 2016 | access-date = March 9, 2016}}

=Professional=

During his first full professional season in 2016–17, Poturalski was initially assigned to AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. Poturalski was leading the club in assists and scoring when he received his first recall to the NHL by the Hurricanes on April 4, 2017.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/hurricanes-recall-bryan-bickell-andrew-poturalski-from-charlotte-checkers/c-288384810 | title = Canes recall Bickell, Poturalski | publisher = Carolina Hurricanes |date = April 4, 2017 | access-date = April 4, 2017}} He made his debut that night in a 5–3 defeat to the Minnesota Wild.{{cite web|url=http://www.wkbw.com/sports/williamsville-native-andrew-poturalski-set-to-make-nhl-debut|title=Williamsville native Andrew Poturalski set to make NHL debut|first=Matt|last=Bove|date= April 4, 2017 | access-date = April 4, 2017|publisher=wkbw.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fosters.com/sports/20170404/sports-shorts-andrew-poturalski-makes-nhl-debut-with-hurricanes|title=Sports shorts: Andrew Poturalski makes NHL debut with Hurricanes|publisher=fosters.com | date = April 4, 2017 | access-date = April 4, 2017}} After two games with the Hurricanes, Poturalski was returned to Charlotte to play out the remainder of the year.

Following that season, Poturalski was invited to the Hurricanes training camp but began the 2017–18 season with the Checkers after being cut.{{cite web|last1=Niedzielski|first1=Nicholas|title=Hurricanes Trim Roster, Send Group To Charlotte|url=http://gocheckers.com/articles/transactions/hurricanes-trim-roster-send-group-to-charlotte|website=gocheckers.com|access-date=March 17, 2018|date=September 23, 2017}}

File:File-Andrew Poturalski 2019 5.jpg

In the 2018–19 season, had a stand out season with the league leading Charlotte Checkers, scoring 23 goals and 70 points in 72 games, to earning a selection to the AHL Second All-Star Team. In the post-season, he led the Checkers to the 2019 Calder Cup Championship after collecting 12 goals and 23 points. Poturalski was named the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the playoffs MVP after leading all skaters in points and goals.

On July 2, 2019, Poturalski left the Hurricanes organization as a free agent to sign a one-year, two-way contract with the Anaheim Ducks.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/ducks/news/ducks-sign-poturalski-and-pietila-to-one-year-contracts/c-308174326 | title = Ducks sign Poturalski and Pietila to one-year contracts | publisher = Anaheim Ducks | date = July 2, 2019 | access-date = July 2, 2019}}

After a successful stint in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls, Poturalski returned to the Hurricanes as a free agent, signing a one-year, two-way contract on August 11, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/canes-agree-to-terms-with-poturalski/c-325946954|title=Canes Agree to Terms with Andrew Poturalski|publisher=Carolina Hurricanes|date=August 11, 2021|access-date=August 11, 2021}}

As a free agent at the conclusion of his contract with the Hurricanes, Poturalski was signed to a two-year, $1.525 million contract with the Seattle Kraken on July 13, 2022.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/kraken/news/kraken-qualify-five-players-big-week-ahead/c-334923612 | title = Four cups, Three new Kraken signed | publisher = Seattle Kraken | date = July 13, 2022 | access-date = July 13, 2022}}

After helping the Kraken's AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds reach the Calder Cup finals in each season under contract with the Kraken, Poturalski left as a free agent and was signed to a two-year, two-way contract with the San Jose Sharks on July 3, 2024.{{cite web| url = https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/san-jose-sharks-sign-andrew-poturalski-to-two-year-two-way-deal/ | title = San Jose Sharks sign Andrew Poturalski to a two-year contract | publisher = Sportsnet.ca | date = July 3, 2024 | accessdate = July 3, 2024 }} He appeared in three games with the Sharks, recording one assist, but spent the bulk of the 2024–25 season in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda. In 59 games he scored a career-best 30 goals, and with 73 points he led the league for the third in his career. Poturalski became only the third player to win the Sollenberger Trophy three times,{{cite web |url=https://theahl.com/news/poturalski-blumel-sollenberger-marshall-awards|title=Poturalski, Blümel win AHL scoring races|website=TheAHL.com|date=April 20, 2025 |access-date=April 21, 2025}} and for the first time was given the Les Cunningham Award as the most valuable player of the regular season.{{cite web |url=https://theahl.com/news/poturalski-cunningham-award-mvp|title=Poturalski adds first AHL MVP honor to trophy case|website=TheAHL.com|date=April 25, 2025 |access-date=April 25, 2025}} He also received his second First Team All-Star selection.{{cite web |url=https://theahl.com/news/2024-25-first-second-all-star-teams |title=2024-25 First and Second All-Star Teams unveiled |website=TheAHL.com |date=April 17, 2025 |access-date=April 21, 2025}}

Personal life

Poturalski and his wife Haley have two children together; a son and daughter.{{cite news |last1=Sandalow |first1=Brian |title=Wolves carrying a little extra 'MoJo' into Calder Cup Finals |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/wolves/2022/6/18/23171907/chicago-wolves-carrying-a-little-extra-mojo-into-calder-cup-finals-andrew-poturalski |access-date=July 19, 2022 |publisher=Chicago Sun Times |date=June 18, 2022}}

Career statistics

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! colspan="5" | Regular season

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! colspan="5" | Playoffs

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! Season

! Team

! League

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

2008–09

| Nichols School

| USHS

| 21

| 13

| 6

| 19

| 6

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2010–11

| Nichols School

| USHS

| 14

| 13

| 10

| 23

| 26

| 4

| 8

| 0

| 8

| 4

2011–12

| Buffalo Jr. Sabres

| OJHL

| 33

| 16

| 22

| 38

| 32

| 8

| 5

| 2

| 7

| 4

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2011–12

| Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

| USHL

| 2

| 1

| 3

| 0

| —

2012–13

| Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

| USHL

| 53

| 12

| 21

| 33

| 43

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2013–14

| Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

| USHL

| 60

| 27

| 37

| 64

| 28

| 4

| 2

| 1

| 3

| 2

2014–15

| University of New Hampshire

| HE

| 40

| 14

| 15

| 29

| 16

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2015–16

| University of New Hampshire

| HE

| 37

| 22

| 30

| 52

| 24

| —

2015–16

| Charlotte Checkers

| AHL

| 16

| 2

| 3

| 5

| 0

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2016–17

| Charlotte Checkers

| AHL

| 74

| 19

| 33

| 52

| 34

| 5

| 0

| 5

2016–17

| Carolina Hurricanes

| NHL

| 2

| 0

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2017–18

| Charlotte Checkers

| AHL

| 76

| 22

| 27

| 49

| 24

| 8

| 1

| 4

| 5

| 2

2018–19

| Charlotte Checkers

| AHL

| 72

| 23

| 47

| 70

| 34

| 18

| 12

| 11

| 23

| 12

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2019–20

| San Diego Gulls

| AHL

| 17

| 2

| 5

| 7

| 8

| —

2020–21

| San Diego Gulls

| AHL

| 44

| 9

| 34

| 43

| 10

| 3

| 0

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2021–22

| Chicago Wolves

| AHL

| 71

| 28

| 73

| 101

| 36

| 18

| 8

| 15

| 23

| 26

2021–22

| Carolina Hurricanes

| NHL

| 2

| 0

| 2

| 0

| —

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2022–23

| Coachella Valley Firebirds

| AHL

| 38

| 11

| 31

| 42

| 14

| 16

| 3

| 9

| 12

| 6

2023–24

| Coachella Valley Firebirds

| AHL

| 60

| 15

| 36

| 51

| 30

| 13

| 2

| 8

| 10

| 14

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2023–24

| Seattle Kraken

| NHL

| 2

| 0

| —

2024–25

| San Jose Sharks

| NHL

| 3

| 0

| 1

| 2

| —

bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" | NHL totals

! 9

! 0

! 3

! 2

! —

Awards and honors

class="wikitable"

! Award

! Year

ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

| colspan="3" | OJHL

Second All-Prospect Team

| 2012

ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

| colspan="3" | USHL

All-Star Game

| 2014

ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

| colspan="3" | College

Hockey East First All-Star Team

| 2016

Hockey East Scoring Champion

| 2016

East First All-American Team

| 2016

ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

| colspan="3" | AHL

Second All-Star Team

| 2019

|{{cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/2018-19-american-hockey-league-first-and-second-all-star-teams-named/n-5470254 |title=2018–19 American Hockey League First and Second All-Star Teams Named |publisher=OurSports Central |date=April 11, 2019}}

Calder Cup (Charlotte Checkers, Chicago Wolves)

| 2019, 2022

|{{cite web |url=https://theahl.com/check-and-mate-charlotte-wins-calder-cup |title=Check and mate! Charlotte wins Calder Cup |publisher=American Hockey League |date=June 8, 2019 |access-date=June 9, 2019 |archive-date=June 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609064902/https://theahl.com/check-and-mate-charlotte-wins-calder-cup |url-status=dead }}

Jack A. Butterfield Trophy

| 2019

Pacific Division All-Star Team

| 2021

| {{cite web |url=https://theahl.com/2020-21-ahl-all-star-teams |title=2020–21 AHL All-Star Teams |website=American Hockey League |date=May 26, 2021 |access-date=May 26, 2021}}

John B. Sollenberger Trophy

| 2021, 2022, 2025

| {{cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/san-diegos-poturalski-bakersfields-marody-win-ahl-scoring-awards-for-2020-21/n-5694469 |title=San Diego's Poturalski, Bakersfield's Marody Win AHL Scoring Awards for 2020–21 |website=OurSports Central |date=May 20, 2021}}

First All-Star Team

| 2022, 2025

| {{cite web | url = https://theahl.com/2021-22-ahl-first-second-all-star-teams | title = 2021–22 AHL First, Second All-Star Teams unveiled | publisher = American Hockey League | date = April 28, 2022 | access-date = April 28, 2022 | archive-date = April 29, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220429064015/https://theahl.com/2021-22-ahl-first-second-all-star-teams | url-status = dead }}

Les Cunningham Award

| 2025