Prior to playing in the
NHL, Poti attended and played for
Boston University. He was then drafted 59th overall in the
1996 NHL Draft by the
Edmonton Oilers. After graduating college, Poti joined the Oilers for the
1998-
99 season. In
2002, Poti represented the
United States in the
Winter Olympics, taking home a silver medal. Also in 2002, he was traded to the
New York Rangers. Poti played just over three seasons with the Rangers before entering free agency and signing with the
New York Islanders. The following year, on
July 1,
2007, he signed as a free agent with the
Washington Capitals. The contract was worth a reported $14 million over four seasons.