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University of Massachusets Athletics
Massachusetts Hockey Alumni Spotlight: Thomas Poeck '04
May 11, 2015 | Hockey
Former UMass defenseman Thomas Poeck is arguably one of the best players to every represent the University of Massachusetts. The native of Klagenfurt, Austria wore the Maroon and White from 2001-2004. Originally a forward, Poeck was converted to defenseman and his illustrious career began to take flight. He was the Minutemen's first-ever Hobey Baker finalist and was named an All-American in his senior season. His accolades also included being named the National Defenseman of the Year by InsideCollegeHockey.com as well as UMass's first-ever Hockey East First Team All Conference. During his time in Amherst, he also helped guide the Minutemen to back-to-back Hockey East Championship appearances.
Prior to UMass, he was recruited out of Austria to be a member of the Minutemen. Excited to embark on his new journey, he described both the academic and athletic part of college as a lot of fun. Although his first two years had its ups and downs, the learning experience helped guide himself and the team to strong junior and senior seasons. A Sport Management major, Thomas also enjoyed social experience at UMass. Away from the rink, he loved living in the dorms and being able to meet new people. He states that his dorm had an "open door policy" that allowed students to walk around and meet new friends from different areas of the United States and the rest of the world.
Looking back on his fondest memory as a player, he describes the team's rivalry with Maine his junior and senior seasons. One that was capped off by one of the greatest Hockey East final games in history in which UMass fell to the Black Bears, 2-1, in triple overtime.
After a great career at UMass, Poeck suited up for the NHL's New York Rangers. He was able to play six games right out of college and said it was a great learning experience. Every young kid's dream is to reach the highest level of hockey so he was extremely proud to suit up with the best-of-the-best.
The past two seasons Poeck has been playing professional hockey in his hometown of Klagenfurt, Austria. He enjoyed his journey throughout the NHL as well as a couple years in Sweden and Switzerland and realized how great it was to experience the various cultures. However, ultimately for Poeck, there is just no place like home.
Poeck was recently inducted into the UMass Hall of Fame. He described this achievement as such a great honor and something that is very special to him. He states that he has always had great relationships with everyone at UMass and to be recognized for something he loved doing is something he is very proud of. He also mentions that hockey is a team sport and he couldn't credit his friends, teammates and coaches enough for helping him be the best he could be during his time in Amherst. When asked what UMass meant to him, he describes various avenues why it is so special. He was able to move away and grow as a person, an athlete and a student. In addition to that, he met many friends as well as his wife who currently resides with him in Austria. "UMass will always be close to my heart," he says.