Rik Fins Shjon Podein

                   More hockey to start the New Year    1.1.12

            Hours after loading  the blog on this KDAL web site re: my favorite UMD hockey players, I was watching the NHLs Outdoor Classic All Star team.  While, not really an all time all stat game, but great players from the NY Ranger and the Flyers.  OK, at least those that could still skate and not get heart attacks in front of 47,000 fans in Philly,

            Surprise for me, out skated Shjon Podein wearing a Flyers sweater.  Podein came to the UMD Bulldogs from Rochester, John Marshall.  While skating practice on week days with the Dogs and attending classes here, he played games for the Rochester Mustangs on weekends.  It’s called a Red Shirt season, and I think was used to get those transcript grades up to snuff.  He did and ended up scoring 31 goals for the Bulldogs,, including 27 his last season.  In 1988 Podein was drafted by Edmonton and played his first NHL game in 1991. 

While not a prolific scorer, he was one of those guys named Joe.  Rip through the defensive zone, grab a loose puck and get a good play set up for the players who could find a hole in the goalie or backcheck so aggresivly, he looked illegal.   Podein was one of my favorites non super stars.  Coaches at all levels liked him for, among other things, he was a perfect penalty killer.

            Podein was in Duluth around Christmas this winter, coaching St Louis Park high schools game in the Twin Ports tournaments.  From the reports I get from the Twin Cities, he may have a big time career ahead if he ever wishes to move up the ranks. 

            Podein is the kind of player that makes a good coach.  He understands that hard work can make the difference in win or lose.  He didn’t have great natural skills:  good skills, not Watson or Hull kind of skills.  And, Podein can work well with young kids, because he’s still young at heart.  Sometimes the gifted athletes cannot connect with youngsters who aren’t blessed with f the same level of natural gifts.  He knows that you have to work extra hard and that perfect practice makes for a perfect game.

            Podein was one of my favorite interviews for Pregame Shows.  Always available and always articulate and truthful in with his words.  We called him Shh John Podein.

Philly fans loved him in that Old Timers game at the Outdoor Classic.   He even scored the first goal for the Flyers but the star of the game was the Old Legend Goaltender Bernie Parent.  My goodness, Parent must be older than me!!!                       Happy New Year    Rik