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Former Maple Leafs draft pick Justin Pogge joins Vancouver Canucks AHL affiliate as goaltending coach

Originally posted on TheLeafsnation | By Alex Hobson | Last updated Aug 27, 2024 11:18 AM ET

Ask any Toronto Maple Leafs fan who was invested in the team in 2006 if they remember the name “Justin Pogge” and odds are you’ll be met with a shudder.

The shudder isn’t Pogge’s fault. It’s more directed at John Ferguson Jr, who made the fateful decision to trade a fellow by the name of Tuukka Rask to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Andrew Raycroft on June 24, 2006. But more on that later.

Although he only ever appeared in seven games for the Toronto Maple Leafs, tallying a single NHL win, Pogge’s career continued on in a multitude of places, including stops in the NHL, AHL, and KHL, as well as some time in Sweden, Germany, and even Italy. Looking past his unfortunate connection to the Maple Leafs, he’s evidently had a great career with the opportunity to play a sport in multiple countries across the world. Now 38 years old and one season removed from his playing career, he’s dipping his feet into the coaching world, taking a job as a goalie coach with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks, the minor-league affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks.

Abbotsford Canucks General Manager, Ryan Johnson, announced today the hiring of Justin Pogge as goaltending coach of the club.

FULL DETAILS | https://t.co/M1cjI8c111 pic.twitter.com/O09XtYwSDM

— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) August 26, 2024

Pogge was originally selected by the Maple Leafs in the third round of the 2004 NHL draft, 90th overall. With a goaltending tandem made up of Jean-Sebastien Aubin and Mikael Tellqvist in 2005-06 at the time, the Leafs made what looks like as much of a panic move as you can get, acquiring Andrew Raycroft from the Bruins in exchange for Rask. The trade was partly made because the Leafs had eyes on Raycroft after the latter won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie, and finished fifth in Vezina Trophy voting as the league’s top goaltender. It was also made because Toronto opted to keep Pogge, who was fresh off a gold medal win at the World Juniors with Team Canada. We’ll cut off the reflection there because, at this point, everyone knows that it was one of the worst trades in Toronto Maple Leafs history. Especially when it was revealed that the Bruins planned to release Raycroft, meaning they could have gotten him without having to give up Rask.

Regardless of his ties to the Maple Leafs, it’s good to see Pogge land on his feet with a role in the AHL. Remember, it’s not his fault the Maple Leafs chose him over Rask. Blame John Ferguson.

This article first appeared on TheLeafsnation and was syndicated with permission.

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