Canucks organization hires Former Leafs goaltender Justin Pogge
The Vancouver Canucks made a major change to their AHL affiliate staff, hiring former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Justin Pogge as their goaltending coach.
The Vancouver Canucks have made a name for themselves in recent seasons, becoming serious contenders for the Stanley Cup. Last year, they impressed fans by making it into the second round last season before their elimination at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7.
However, they have also tried to bolster their AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, to give them a better chance at a Calder Cup following their Pacific Division Semifinals loss to the Ontario Reign. Their latest move was their hire of former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender, Justin Pogge Abbotsford general manager Ryan Johnson shared that the 38-year-old will serve as the team's goalie coach for the upcoming season.
Justin Pogge only played 7 games in the NHL, recording a .844 save percentage and 4.36 goals against average. However, he was a staple goaltender in the AHL, with 254 AHL regular season games in the league, three of which with the Toronto Marlies. As Ryan Johnson mentioned, he also has years of experience playing in the European league. This is undoubtedly enough background to get a chance as a goaltending coach in a major league like the AHL.
The former Columbus Blue Jackets goaltending consultant will have a lot to prove as a primary goalie coach in the upcoming year, especially with a team as desperate to make it deeper into the playoffs as the Abbotsford Canucks. Hopefully, he can prove more than capable of increasing this team's success, and make fans of the former Maple Leaf proud.
Source: Abbotsford Canucks
ABBOTSFORD CANUCKS HIRE POGGE AS GOALTENDING COACH
| POLL | ||
Did Ryan Johnson make the right decision to hire Justin Pogge for the Abbotsford Canucks? | ||
| Yes | 75 | 43.9 % |
| No | 36 | 21.1 % |
| No opinion | 60 | 35.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
