Greg Polis learned to play hockey in the tiny northern Alberta farm community of Dapp. When there weren't enough kids around to play hockey, he improved his stickhandling by playing keep-away with his Labrador Retriever.
Polis progressed to the junior ranks with the Estevan Bruins of the WCJHL in 1966. In his second last season, he finished second in league scoring behind Bobby Clarke of Flin Flon. In his final year with the Bruins, he finished second again, this time behind Reggie Leach.
In the 1970 Amateur Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins made Polis their first choice?a situation that suited him just fine since, unlike more established team, the Pens need meant plenty of ice time.
He made his mark early thanks to his extremely fast skating and strong ability to work the corners. By the end of year two, he'd already scored a career-high 30 goals. He also enjoyed invitations to play in the All-Star Game during his first three campaigns with the Pens.
But early in 1973-74, Polis was traded to the Blues for a short stint before moving on to the New York Rangers where he was placed onto a line with Jean Ratelle and Rod Gilbert. Early on, however, Polis had difficulty adapting to Ratelle's slower style at centre. He spent a lot of time inadvertently icing the puck and making too many single-man rushes that were halted at the blueline. He did, however, manage to pot 26 goals before his numbers and his career began to decline.
By 1979, injuries had taken their toll as the Washington Capitals claimed Polis on waivers. There, he lasted for only a brief time before rounding out his career with the Hershey Bears of the AHL in 1981.
