Hitmen acquire goaltender Pogge in big trade with Cougars

[Billy Blade]

Source: http://www.hitmenhockey.com/mediareleases/MEDIA_REL/comments.cgi?discussion_no=1&subject_no=229

Hitmen acquire goaltender Pogge in big trade with Cougars

Monday, January 10, 2005

GM Kelly Kisio announced today that the Calgary Hitmen have acquired Goaltender Justin Pogge, along with Defenceman Dylan Yeo, and forward Tyler Lucas in exchange for Defenceman Andy Rogers, Forward Lee Zalasky, and goaltender Scott Bowles. The Hitmen also receive a 6th round draft pick
in the 2005 WHL Bantam Draft.

Pogge, from Penticton, BC, is in his 2nd season in the WHL. He
is a 3rd round draft pick (90th overall) of the
Toronto Maple Leafs, with a record of 10-9-2 with 4 shutouts. He has
a career record of 27-27-4 with 7 shutouts.

“All 3 players we acquired will make an immediate impact on the team. Unfortunately
to acquire them we needed to give up players that were significant to
our club, and true quality guys. We wish them all the best in these next
stages of their hockey careers.” noted Hitmen GM and Head coach Kelly
Kisio.

[Hitmen1]

The new guys all played a big role in the Hitmen win over the Blades last night. Lucas and Yeo were especially solid, Pogge looked good and is an upgrade over Bowles who had been letting in several soft goals which the team could never recover from. Pogge did allow 3 goals but they were all on terrible breakdowns by the defence.

[Mileflames]

New guys -
Lucas played good got two points and 2nd star.
Pogge was ok, a small up grade
Yeo was great, all over the ICE, he is an offensive force on the blue line. Fun to watch.

So far I am impressed with the new kids.

[RunTheGoalie]

Yeo seems to have the occasional problem directing his passes, but otherwise was a great addition to the lineup against the Blades. Far better than Rogers was for us.

Lucas played a great game. Pogge didnt have a spectacular game, but he wasnt tested much, and he had no hope on the goals.

The only downside of the trade after the first game was the new line of Dupont, Reid and White, all of whom are too slow to be paired with eachother. I'd like to see that line redone.