MN Hockey's Royal Couple: John and Krissy Pohl

Woodbury’s John Pohl and Krissy (Wendell) Pohl bring their extensive ice experience to local youth hockey.

By: Andy Greder | From the issue: February 2012

Photo: Tate Carlson

Krissy (Wendell) and John Pohl with daughters Emily and Anna at home in Woodbury

John Pohl and Krissy (Wendell) Pohl have played hockey at serious, intense levels with the University of Minnesota, the U.S. Olympic Team and in the National Hockey League. With their playing days behind them, the Woodbury couple has returned to the carefree, ecstatic levels of youth hockey as instructors with the Woodbury Area Hockey Club.

With impressive hockey resumes that include national championships, an Olympic medal and MVP awards, the Pohls could be called Minnesota Hockey’s “it” couple. But to the mites they help teach how to skate, those honors matter little, and their names didn’t ring a bell.

“They love anyone that is out there with them,” says Krissy, 30. “They want to know who is going to give them a puck, tell them to ‘have fun,’ have a smile, pat them on the back, tell them ‘good job.’ They are looking for that positive reinforcement.”

Brian Livingston, the club’s director of player development, said dropping the names “Pohl” and “Wendell” brings credence to their instruction through Pro Edge Power.

“When you hear the names, you know they have tremendous hockey backgrounds—both of them,” Livingston says. “We are fortunate to have them at Woodbury.”

Last year, it was mites and super mites—kids in third grade and younger—that benefited from the vast knowledge of John and Krissy Pohl. This year, the Pohls are assisting more of the approximately 300 kids in the club, from the mites to the 18-year-olds on the Junior Gold team.

“I think they really earned credibility within the club based on their performance and dedication,” Livingston says, “doing the most they can to help the kids out.”

After traveling to Toronto, Sweden, Switzerland and Chicago as John continued to play professionally, the Pohls have since settled into a Woodbury home and will welcome their third child in March. All the while, hockey hasn’t left their purview. On top of helping in Woodbury, they are co-head-coaching Cretin-Derham Hall’s varsity girls program this winter.

“I think that being on teams was really fun for us—both of us,” says John, 32, who teaches business at Cretin-Derham Hall. “Not playing anymore, coaching gives us a chance to still be a part of the team.”