The Canes weren't lacking for goalies today at the RecZone. Cam Ward and Justin Peters were on the ice along with Mike Murphy and Justin Pogge.
Murphy and Pogge were the newcomers today, each making their first appearance at the Canes' informal workouts. Murphy was a Carolina draft pick in 2008 and is well known to Canes' fans. As for Pogge ...
"I'm just trying to get down here, get to know everybody and get comfortable down here," Pogge said. "Last year I was ready for anything. I was on four different teams. I wanted to get here early, see what they wanted and see what they want me to work on."
Pogge, 24, was traded by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Ducks in August for a conditional draft pick in the 2001 draft. In the 2009-2010 season, he played for the San Antonio Rampage (AHL), Bakersfield Condors (ECHL) and then the Albany River Rats (AHL) after being traded to Carolina.
Pogge was 1-0-2 with a 2.41 GAA and .928 save percentage at Albany but suffered a lower-body injury in his fourth game. In San Antonio, he was 12-7-3 with a 2.57 GAA and .920 save percentage.
Pogge, well-conditioned at 6-3 and 205 pounds and a big guy in net, picked up a gold medal with Team Canaa in the 2006 World Junior Championship in Vancouver. In the gold-medal game, he had 35 saves in a 5-0 victory over Russia and finished the tournament with three shutouts.
Pogge was the WHL player of the year in 2006 with the Calgary Hitmen, but it has been a series of ups and downs as a professional for the Fort McMurray, Alberta, native. A third-round pick by the Leafs in 2004, he made his NHL debut with the Leafs on Dec. 22, 2008, beating the Atlanta Thrashers. But he was 1-4-1 wth the Leafs and soon back with the Toronto Marlies (AHL.)
Now, it's Carolina. His goal is to have a strong training camp, compete for a job and go from there.
"It was a little surprising (to be traded)," Pogge said. "This is a new start in a different city. It's exciting. It's a good spot to come to."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
depth
Tue, 09/07/2010 - 12:29 — louis12580I think he was brought here for depth purposes. As we saw last season we need depth at the position. Pogge never seemed to get a chance in Toronto (surprise) and was summarily run out of town. When he was drafted he was a highly touted goalie so Jim and the staff must have seen something that they like about his game. Time with Tom will only do him good. Another great reason why it's great that the A.H.L. team is now in Charlotte. Easier to get to and be able to evaluate the talent.