Former Leafs draft pick officially announces his retirement
Once believed to be the future number one goaltender for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Justin Pogge was never able to meet those expectations and has played in several European countries and leagues since leaving the North America all the way back in 2011-12.
Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Pogge improved dramatically after being traded to the Calgary Hitmen from the Prince George Cougars. He finished the 2005-06 season going 38-10-6 with a .926 SV% and a 1.72 G.A.A before backstopping Team Canada to World Juniors gold.
His time with the Toronto Marlies wasn't as impactful as many had hoped as he posted a 71-56-11 record with a save percentage that never crept higher than .908. He only played in 7 NHL games his entire career, where he finished with a 1-4-1 record, 4.36 G.A.A. and a.844 SV% in 2008-09.
The Maple Leafs traded Pogge to the Anaheim Ducks in August of 2009 for a conditional 2011 draft pick. He was then traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in March of 2010. In the summer of 2011 he then signed a contract with the Phoenix Coyotes and played for their AHL affiliate in Portland, making that his 4th pit stop in 3 seasons - San Antonio Rampage, Albany River Rats, Charlotte Checkers, and the Portland Pirates - never having stepped foot in the NHL again.
In 2012, Pogge decided to embark a different adventure that took him to Europe where he ended up playing in Sweden, Russia, and Germany from 2014-15 to 2022-23. He finished his professional career with the Wolfsburg Grizzly Adams of the DEL, sporting a 9-7-0 record, 2.74 G.A.A, and a .905 SV%.
What changed his career path and ultimately his mindset was what happened after he was named to Team Canada as a reserve goaltender for their Olympic Team in 2022. As the 4th goaltender, Pogge realized he was never going to actually suit up, so the veteran decided to serve as the de facto goalie coach for his teammates:
"I saw the writing on the wall. I wanted to be useful and part of the group. So I stepped up and asked if I could do that. I think they liked that initiative. I think I did an alright job."
One of his teammates during the Olympic Games was Devon Levi who is now one of the goaltenders for Team Canada at the World Championships that are currently underway. Pogge has joined the team as the goaltending coach after having served the same position at the U18 championships last month.
Devon Levi, who has become of the higher-touted prospects within the Buffalo Sabres pipeline, is very happy and grateful for what Pogge did for him and his teammates while they were in a pinch:
"I remember we didn't have a goalie coach. And he stepped up and that was really cool for him to want to mentor us. That he was willing to do that instead of playing was really great," said Levi of Pogge.
His new role has even opened the eyes to rest of Team Canada's executives and head coaches. Andre Tourigny, who is currently behind the bench for Canada, said it's a very different role compared to professional leagues where you have to teach and have months to work with other net-minders:
"It's different because you don't arrive here and start tweaking things with a goalie. You're not necessarily trying to teach them anything with their technique. You're just trying to create a good environment where they can perform best right here, right now. And because he's been in those tournaments himself, he's doing a really good job with this so far."
He admits that the Pogge that performed spectacularly in Europe was not the same Justin Pogge that the Maple Leafs got in return. After winning the gold medal, a lot was expected and unfortunately he never measured up. However, while in Europe, he posted seasons with save percentages above .920 on several occasions:
"I wasn't the goalie yet that I wanted to be in Toronto. That came later down the line. When I was 21, I wasn't as good as I was when I was 27."
He is happy with how things have unfolded, his family has taken to the European lifestyle, and he holds no bitterness or resentment towards Toronto or how things played out:
"The stars have to align for you. And I feel like I was playing my best hockey in Europe and I could have made the jump back. But I'm grateful for my career. I played 17 years of professional hockey. Not many people can say that."
Source: The Athletic
