Career Highlights

Selected by Ottawa Nationals in 1972 WHA draft of professional players -- the first player draft in that league's history. ... Played on first Chicago Cougars team in WHA's inaugural season of 1972-73 and scored goal in team's first game on Oct. 12, 1972, at Houston. ... Recorded Chicago Cougars' first hat trick in 6-3 win over New England on Dec. 31, 1972. ... Represented Chicago Cougars in the 1973 WHA All-Star Game -- the first All-Star game in league history. ...  Played left wing on Chicago's "Power Line" with center Bobby Sicinski and right wing Rosaire Paiement in 1972-73 and 1973-74. ... Scored hat trick for Chicago (WHA) in 7-3 win over New Jersey on April 2, 1974. ... Finished eighth in WHA with eight playoff goals in 1974. ... Served as captain of the Chicago Cougars in 1974-75. ... Played on Houston (WHA) team with older brother Poul in 1975-76 and 1976-77.

Career Transactions

October 1968 -- Loaned by Salem (ECHL) to Greensboro for 1968-69 season. August 1972 -- WHA rights traded by Ottawa to Chicago. Aug. 9, 1972 -- Signed three-year contract with Chicago (WHA). October 1975 -- Traded by Denver (WHA) to Houston for Don Borgeson and Jim Sherrit. February 1977 -- Traded by Houston (WHA) to Phoenix in exchange for future considerations. ... Retired from pro hockey in 1977.

After the Draft

• Played pro lacrosse during off-seasons from 1969 to 1971.
  
  
• Entered 1972-73 WHA season with a mustache, but shaved it off under orders from Chicago coach Marcel Pronovost.
  
  
• Missed parts of 1973-74 season with lacerated outside ligaments in left knee and fractured cheekbone that required surgery.
  
  
• Also played right wing during WHA career and wore helmet for part of 1975-76 season.
  
  
• Was member of 1974-75 Chicago Cougars team that folded at end of season in April 1975. He later signed with the expansion Denver Spurs, where he played only one game before being traded.
  
  
• Missed part of 1976-77 season with fractured jaw.

Miscellaneous

Full Name: Jan Valdemar Popiel
Nicknames: "Pope" and "Poper"

Post-Draft Teams: St. Catharines (OHA); Salem, Greensboro (EHL); Tulsa (CHL); Chicago, Denver, Houston (WHA); Oklahoma City (CHL); Phoenix (WHA).

Education: Did not play during 1967-68 season so that he could attend Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, and complete the degree he had started working on during his major-junior career.

Career Beyond Hockey: Returned to Houston area after his retirement and ran own general contracting business called Popiel Homes and based in Tomball, Texas.

Family: Younger brother of former NHL/WHA player Poul Popiel. ... Older brother of former minor-leaguer Dan Popiel.

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