Education
Podein graduated from John Marshall High School in 1986.
Podein graduated from John Marshall High School in 1986.
He was named the Head High School Hockey Coach at Saint Louis Park (Minnesota) High School on March 16, 2011. He has been active in the youth program for three years before being named coach. He then made the leap collegiate hockey playing with the University of Minnesota-Duluth in the WCHA. Podein was drafted after his freshman year in the 1988 National Hockey League Entry Draft, 166th overall by the Edmonton Oilers.
Podein made his professional debut in the 1990-1991 season with the Cape Breton Oilers of the AHL. Over the next season Podein saw limited time with the big club and was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Flyers on July 27, 1994.
With the Flyers, Podein flourished into a first rate penalty-killer and checking forward. On November 12, 1998, Podein was traded by the Flyers to the Colorado Avalanche for Keith Jones.
Podein assumed his role as top penalty-killer on the Avalanche. After winning game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals, Shjon is often remembered for wearing his uniform for a full 25 hours after the game.
In the following 2001-2002 season, Podein was traded by the Avalanche to the Saint Louis Blues for Mike Keane on February 11, 2002.
Shjon played his last National Hockey League season in 2002-2003 before finishing his career in Europe with Växjö Lakers Hockey and Asian team The Human Context Nikko Icebucks. Away from the ice, Shjon set up the "Shjon Podein Children"s Foundation". Podein was noted for his immense dedication to charity work and youth hockey programs.
Podein did the traditional "Let"s play hockey" cheer for the Minnesota Wild game on February