General Manager Rob Sklaruk announced Saturday the Spruce Grove Saints have signed forward Junior Podein (’06) for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Podein, 19, is coming to Spruce Grove after a strong start to his season with the Watertown Shamrocks in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) where he posted eight goals and seven assists for 15 points in his first 15 games of junior hockey. The 5’9″, 168-pound forward was the leading scorer at Benilde-St. Margaret’s School in Minnesota last season, posting 29 goals and 49 points in just 26 games while also suiting up for a game for the Chicago Steel in the United States Hockey League (USHL).
The St. Louis Park, Minnesota native is no stranger to the Edmonton area, having played in the Brick Tournament with Team Minnesota in 2015 while his father, Shjon, suited up in 699 career National Hockey League (NHL) games including a stop with the Oilers to spend 68 games in Edmonton. Junior has also secured a commitment to play hockey collegiately with Western Michigan University and will be joining the Broncos with current Saints forward Felix Haibock.
Bringing in a player like Junior was something that the Saints could not pass up, “Junior has been around the game at a professional level with his father’s NHL and pro experience and it shows in his playing abilities,” commented Saints GM Rob Sklaruk, “We are really looking forward to adding Junior to our team.”
The Saints are back on the ice on Sunday afternoon when they play host to the Blackfalds Bulldogs at Thompson Family Arena. Puck drop is slated for 2:00 PM as the Saints honour the 1975 Centennial Cup Champion Spruce Grove Mets with replica jerseys. Fans are also encouraged to stick around after the final buzzer for the first Skate with the Saints of the season. Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.sgsiants.ca.
