Pooley played Tier II Junior "A" for the North York Rangers and major junior for the Kingston Canadians. In 1980 he joined the Ohio State University for four years. He was an all-star twice and conference Player of the Year in 1984. Despite a distinguished career at college, he was not drafted by an NHL team. The Winnipeg Jets signed him as a Free agent in 1984. He ended up playing 15 games for the Jets, scoring 3 assists. Polley also played for the 1985 Calder Cup-winning Sherbrooke Canadiens. He retired in 1987. After that he was an assistant, then an associate coach at Notre Dame University.