Posted by: Feldman
Shjon Podeinwas back in the Graham Arena complex on Friday night for the first time in, well, a number of years.
"It's been awhile," Podein said. "Back when I used to play here, you couldn't get lost. There was only one rink."
Podein, the former Rochester John Marshall, Minnesota-Duluth and NHL standout, brought his St. Louis Park boys varsity hockey team to Rochester to compete in a first-time event — a scrimmage "fest," which included all four Rochester teams and Podein's SLP squad.
I'll offer more thoughts on the "scrimmage fest" — which, by all accounts, was a big success — later.
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Podein and SLP brought about 15 skaters. It looked like they had enough for three lines and a couple of defensive pairings. SLP went 2-23 last season, but Podein said he's looking forward to watching this team grow. More than victories, he said getting the players to believe they can jell and become a true team is what he hopes to accomplish.
And when the voice telling the young players these things has been to a state tournament and won a Stanley Cup, well, that carries a little more weight.
"It's a blast. The kids are great," Podein said. "Everyone has bought in to setting the expectations a little higher and working hard, doing all the things that you need to do to have success on and off the ice. The kids really make it worth the time.
"I've seen it with kids at all different levels. When you believe in them and know that they're capable of doing more than they're doing, they can meet those expectations much easier."
I've seen it with kids at all different levels. When you believe in them and know that they're capable of doing more than they're doing, they can meet those expectations much easier."
Podein also gave a ton of credit to former JM head coaches Gene Sack and Bob Frerker. He played for both of those coaching legends during his time on the Rockets varsity. He also said he's taking ideas from long-time Mayo coach Lorne Grosso and many other coaches who helped him throughout his days in the Rochester Youth Hockey program.
Podein's first night as a head coach in a game situation got off to a rather comical start. When St. Louis Park arrived at the Graham Arena complex, the team headed straight to its locker room in Graham Arena 3, while Podein talked in the lobby with friends and family.
After a few minutes, Podein excused himself and went to make sure the players were getting ready to go for their first scrimmage. He walked into the SLP locker and saw ... no one. He looked in a couple of other locker rooms, before giving up and coming to talk to a reporter. As he did, his team came walking back into the rink. They had been running/stretching.
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Podein just laughed at himself.
"My first night as a coach and I lost my team," he said. "You'll have to make sure to mention that."
SLP opens its season on Dec. 3 at Waconia.
