Shjon and the Stanley Cup

Learn more about the Stanley Cup at NHL.com!

STAN'S JOURNAL ENTRY (AUGUST 15, 2001)

6:00 a.m. - I am woke up by loud banging on my hotel room door with someone shouting "Wake up, it's my turn to be with you!!!" Ahh Yes, it is August 15 and I am to spend a day with Shjon Podein. I didn't mind being awoken so early; since I had had enough of Dan Hinote and his buddies. Don't get me wrong, they are nice enough guys, but if I had to hear them sing one more Prince tune, I was about ready to go crazy... Danny, the purple cape was a bit much!!!

Shjon drove me to Minneapolis where he had several friends waiting to take me for an early morning dip in Lake Calhoun and then off to breakfast. Back to Shjon and Sherry's house for a leisurely 10 minutes and off to get pictures taken with some area businesses. I told Shjon I really liked his convertible – he just replied, "Thanks Stan... it's Sherry's"

After the pictures, we went to a party at Sherry's parents house. Shjon and Sherry had invited all their friends and family. There was a street hockey game going on with all the kids.

They even had a Zamboni and were giving kids rides. That is, until Shjon decided it was time for him to drive the Zamboni... "Someone call 1-800-how's my driving." Sorry to tell you Shjon, but there is a great deal of skill involved in driving a Zamboni and you my good man, do not possess it.

Once the Zamboni stopped, Mike, my travel companion, wowed the crowd with stories about my adventures... The little children listened intently while they ate handfuls of popcorn out of me. They cleaned me up and then more pictures. I even had a few babies who could fit in me. I just love babies.

That night I went to the coolest bar... Bullwinkles! Just as I was getting my groove, they scoop me up and took me to a gb leighton concert at Ogara's Garage. No I don't wait in lines, in fact, I just got right up on stage and rocked with gb. This guy can sing! I bought his cd and a cool t-shirt and we were off to Bullwinkles again for a little bubbly.

In the early morning, we didn't sleep, 6:00 a.m. to be exact, I was off to Rochester, Minnesota. Shjon asked Mike if I'd ever been in a helicopter before. Come on Shjon – I'm the Stanley Cup. There isn't anything I haven't done before. We flew to the Rochester Recreation Center, where Shjon skated as a kid.

There must have been over 2000 people waiting to meet me. After they gave Shjon the Key to the City of Rochester, and I had to listen to yet another speech, blah, blah, blah...

 Then they took me to my most favorite place: Center Ice. Yes, come my adoring fans, admire me.

After several hours of people getting their picture taken with me, we were off to yet another party... All right, a picnic! (Please, oh please – do not use me for a Jell-O mold again.) Well, I must admit that the kids at this party are great.

Back into Sherry's car and off to Minneapolis...

They took me to their favorite Thai restaurant, set me in the middle of the table and ate Padthai out of me with chopsticks. Man, that garlic can stay with you...

If you haven't figured out by now, Shjon is really into music. He had a couple of his friends in town Tommy Stewart and Robbie from Godsmack so we just kind of hung out together. Gb showed up and a few other guys and we had a little impromptu jam session. Very fun but it has been two days and I haven't slept. Shjon can we go home now?

Well diary, it's time to wrap this adventure up and grab some zzz's... Shjon and Sherry let me have the middle of the bed for a good two hour nap. Podein is a great guy... I'd like to visit him again, but next time I'll take the guest room - Shjon snores.

See Shjon's Career and Stats.