Kindersley native Justen Close guarding Gophers net
By Jordan Parker
It's been a banner year for former Kindersley Klipper Justen Close.
The netminder is currently the toast of Big-Ten hockey as he minds the crease for the first-ranked Minnesota Gophers. And yet, he remains humble as ever.
“This has all been a lot of fun. It feels like a long time ago that I took over the net and started playing more games,” said Close.
“It's been a blast, and I really couldn't ask for a better group of guys to do this with.”
PHOTO COURTESY GOPHER PUCK LIVE
Close was coming off a momentous performance against Notre dame in which he had a 38-save shutout, and was named the Big Ten Conference Second Star of the Week on November 8th. He followed that up with a First-Star ranking on December 6. Then on January 17, 2023, he nabbed the Second Star once again.
He was an NCAA All-Regional selection last year, and helped his team win the 2021-2022 Big Ten Regular Season Championship. The team would advance to the NCAA Frozen Four for the first time since 2014, but lost out against the Minnesota State Mankato in the national semifinals.
His 14-6-1 record, 1.97 GAA and .925 save percentage this year are the best in the league, and he backstops a Minnesota team that leads in Big Ten standings. Despite coming into the starting job last year after Jack LaFontaine left for the NHL's formidable Carolina Hurricanes, he's settled in nicely.
“There wasn't too much pressure. There was a bit of panic from others and outside noise, but the coaching staff, the players and I put our heads down, kept working and pressed forward,” he said.
“We believe in each other in the locker room. We just want to do well for this team and push as much as we can.”
Close played for the Kindersley Klippers from 2016-2017 to 2018-2019. In his final season with the Klippers, he had a 26-11-4 record, three shutouts, and a 2.19 GAA, with a .928 save percentage.
Current Klippers Assistant Coach Tyler Traptow remembers playing with Close fondly during his time in Kindersley.
“He was just a really great guy. I'd like to say I'm surprised by all his success, but I'm not. He's an unbelievable goalie, and his worth ethic speaks for itself,” he said.
“He had the same attitude no matter where we were in the standings. He took time to get this chance, and once he got it, he ran with it. I'm just really proud of him.
Traptow says having someone like Close to be an inspiration to people in the community is vital.
“It's so good for our program. It's good for youth here. Kids in Kindersley can look at Justen and see him repping Kindersley and the Klippers, and that can help them dream,” he said.
Close was named as part of the 41-player list for the coveted 2023 Mike Richter Award for the nation's top goaltender this month, but he's taking it in stride.
“It's still a pretty long list right now. It's nice to have that recognition, but to tell you the truth, it's more a reflection on our play as a team,” he said.
“Winning is the most fun thing for us. It's why we play, and it's what makes team sports special. I have the chance to help my team win, and I'd just love for us to get back to the championship and make some noise.”
Though Close has settled into Minnesota – and his family flew in to visit him last week – he still thinks about Kindersley, Sk. All the time.
“It's amazing to have support from my hometown and have people in my corner. I'm proud to be from Kindersley and proud of where I come from,” he said.
“I love my family and I think about them. I just want to represent my community as best as I can.”