WHL HEADLINES

Justin Pogge was an All-Star goaltender with the Calgary Hitmen and the Prince George Cougars during his four-year Western Hockey League career, and was named the WHL Goaltender of the Year and Player of the Year in his final season with the Hitmen in 2005-06.
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rNow, the 22-year-old product of Penticton, B.C., is in his second season of professional hockey with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies, and is currently heading into his first playoff experience as the Marlies embark on their quest for a Calder Cup Championship.
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rDrafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 3rd round (90th overall) at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Pogge endured an up-and-down first season in the AHL in 2006-07. The 6’3”, 190-lb netminder posted a 19-25-2 record with three shutouts, a 3.03 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage in 48 appearances during his first pro season, and also got the call to play for Canada’s entry at the Spengler Cup in December 2006.
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rWith a year of professional hockey under his belt, Pogge stepped up his game in 2007-08, posting a 26-10-4 record with four shutouts, while improving his GAA to 2.34 and his save percentage to .908. His solid goaltending helped lead the Marlies to a first-place finish in the Western Conference’s North Division.
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rWith much more confidence in his abilities, Pogge is now looking to keep his strong season going well into the AHL’s Calder Cup playoffs.
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rJustin Pogge’s Perspective
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rOn the transition from the WHL to the AHL…
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r“The WHL helped a lot in preparing you for the pro leagues, but when you actually get here, it is quite different. Up here, you’re playing against grown men, the guys are tougher, bigger and faster. Now, with my second season under the belt, I feel much better and I think I’ve shown I can play at this level.”
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rOn gaining confidence…
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r“For me, it’s just a matter of getting into games. I was pretty fortunate to get a lot of games last season and this season, too. When you get to play a lot, you figure things out and work out the kinks in your game much quicker. It’s also about the change in lifestyle. You need to get used to a new environment, and life on your own. Eventually, that comfort level comes, and you can be a bit more relaxed”
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rOn life in Toronto…
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r“It’s good…a great place to be. There is lots going on all the time. Last year took me a bit of time to get used to it. This year, I came back more prepared, and I already had a place, all my stuff and a good set-up. Once you get used to it, you get pretty comfortable with where you are.”
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rOn getting feedback from the Maple Leafs…
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r“They’ve been pretty good about it. I didn’t get the opportunity to play up there this year, but they were always good about letting me know how I’m doing. They give positive feedback and let me know that I’m doing well and they’re happy, but they also let me know about the things they think I should be working on to try and improve.”
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rOn keeping up with the WHL…
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r“I get the Booster Club e-mail from the Hitmen every couple of weeks, and I keep tabs on how they are doing. It looks like they are playing great hockey and have kept up a really strong team. I’m hoping they can go all the way this year. I see a lot of guys I played with and against up in the AHL now.”
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rJesse Watts
rwhl.ca
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