Toronto Mike

My Interview with Justin Pogge

Microphone

Justin Pogge was drafted in the third round, 90th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.  He's currently a Toronto Marlie who gets called up to play for the Maple Leafs now and then.  I had a few questions for him, as did you, and the Marlies were nice enough to let me into today's practice at the Ricoh Coliseum so I could pepper young Pogge.

It was pretty cool watching the practice and checking things out behind the scenes.  I created a Flickr photoset of pics I took if you're curious.  Here are my questions and Justin Pogge's answers.

Q: Do you read what they write about you in the press? Do you have a Google Alert for your name?
A: No, not really.  I read the newspapers, but I don't have a Google Alert for Pogge or anything like that.

Q: What do you really think of the current plan to bring you up for a game here and there but to send you back to the Marlies right away no matter how you play?
A: I think it's great!  There's no pressure.  Sure, it would be nice to stay up, but it's a good strategy.

Q: Are you playing tomorrow night?
A: Yeah, for the Marlies.

Q: What was the explanation that Greg Gilbert gave you for going with Clemmensen in the AHL playoffs last year?
A: Clem was hot and he carried us through the first two rounds.  You have to go with the hot hand.

Q: What was your favourite team when you were a kid?
A: I moved from Alberta to British Columbia, so my favourite teams were the Flames and Canucks.  But I liked all the Canadian teams.

Q: What role does Curtis Joseph play when you're up for one of your fly-by, drop-in performances. Are you buddies?
A: He's great, we can talk about anything.  And he's got a wealth of knowledge and experience.  We're buddies.

Q: What's the biggest adjustment you've had to make moving to Toronto?
A: Ha! The first year was tough.  I didn't even know where to buy a lightbulb!  It's definitely a big city, but now I don't find it as overwhelming.

Q: What's your favourite beer?
A: All of them!  There's a pilsener out West you can't get here that's probably my favourite.

Q: What's your favourite band?
A: Led Zeppelin, Kiss, The Rolling Stones...  Of the new bands, my favourite is probably Queens of the Stone Age.

Me with Justin Pogge
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