Greg Polis, a longtime Prince George resident who spent 10 years playing in the National Hockey League, died early Sunday at the age of 67.
Born August 8, 1950, Polis was raised in Dapp, Alta. and in 1970 was a first-round NHL draft pick, seventh overall. Over the course of his pro career, he notched 174 goals.
During a 2013 interview with The Citizen, Polis was happy to talk about being a Pittsburgh Penguin, how he was named Rookie of the Year in 1970 and how he was a member of the all-star team during the first three years of his career. He fondly recalled winning a Dodge Charger in 1973.
Polis moved to Prince George soon after starting his NHL career and after spending three and a half years in Pittsburgh, he went to St. Louis for three months before he was traded to the New York Rangers. Four years later, he went to the Washington Capitals where he finished his career.
Polis was forced to quit because of knee injuries. He had had six operations during his last three years in the NHL to address issues with ligaments, tendons and cartilage in his right knee.
Polis liked to tell people that he stopped for a cup of coffee in Prince George and decided to stay.
He built the Mohawk station in Parkridge Heights and had a trailer court there, then turned to the automobile business in the 1990s when he started at Barnes Wheaton, now known as the Wood Wheaton Supercentre. Polis retired two years ago at the age of 65.
Always the athlete, Polis discovered a talent for handball in the 80s and competed at a national level. When he retired from handball, he made his way onto the fairways to play golf. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing in his spare time.
Polis was very proud to have been invited as a retired Penguin to participate in the ceremonies when the Pittsburgh team played their last game in the Mellon Centre in 2010.
No matter how exciting his adventures were, he always returned to the city he loved.
"Prince George has always been very good to me," Polis concluded in his 2013 interview." I have a lot of close friends here and it's home now. It's got everything I was looking for, good golf courses, lots of country to explore, good fishing. It's just great."
Polis is survived by two daughters and a son. Memorial services have yet to be announced.
