Shjon grew up in Rochester, Minnesota where he started playing hockey at 5-years-old. He was recruited to play collegiate hockey for the University of Minnesota-Duluth and continued to play in the local weekend series.

Shjon Podein is a former professional ice hockey player who spent 11 seasons in the NHL for the Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Colorado Avalanche, and St. Louis Blues.

Shjon was drafted after his freshman year by the Edmonton Oilers. He later signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1994 where he flourished as a first rate penalty-killer and checking forward. After a trade to the Avalanche, he helped the team win the Stanley Cup in the 2000-01 season and achieved a career high in goals (15) and tied a career high 32 points.

While in Colorado, Shjon and his wife Sherry created Starfire Dog Adoption, a shelter which finds loving homes for dogs who’s owners are no longer able to care for them due to entering a nursing home or hospice. Shjon also made numerous appearances at local schools to promote education and reading, and eventually became the spokesman for the NHL Cool School program in 2001.

Shjon founded the Shjon Podein Children’s Foundation to improve the quality of life and create an environment of caring and community support for children facing extraordinary difficulties in their lives.

Shjon is active with two inner-city youth ice hockey programs designed to introduce ice hockey to low-income, inner-city children and became the first NHL player to join the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation that contributes money to non-profits who serve and benefit children. Shjon was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2001 for his immense dedication to charity work and youth hockey programs.