In 1944-45 the Winnipeg, Manitoba native joined the Halifax Navy of the Nova Scotia Defense Hockey League and was also a member of the Cornwallis Navy, a team with whom he never played a single game for due to his military service.

Podolsky joined the United States Hockey League's Omaha Knights in 1944-45 where he spent one season before joining the American Hockey League's Indianapolis Capitols the following year, a team with whom he spent the next five seasons. In those five seasons with Indianapolis, Podolsky's strong play earned him a call up by the Detroit Red Wings during the 1948-49 season.

Podolsky played in only one regular season and seven playoff games with Detroit before he was sent back to Indianapolis the following year. After five years with the Capitols, Podolsky joined the Pacific Coast Hockey League's Edmonton Flyers in 1951-52 before returning to the AHL the following year as a member of the St. Louis Flyers. Even though he played in 18 games with St. Louis, Podolsky spent the majority of his season with the Quebec Major Hockey League's Shawinigan Cataractes.

In 1953-54, Podolsky joined the Quebec Hockey League's Sherbrooke Saints for one season before spending the next three seasons with International Hockey League's Troy Bruins.

Podolsky ended his career following the 1957-58 Northern Ontario Hockey Association season while as a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Throughout his playing career, Nels Podolsky played in eight career NHL games.

Courtesy of the Hockey Hall of Fame