Kindersley product Justen Close reflects on formative NCAA season

By Jordan Parker

After a career season for Minnesota Gophers goalie Justen Close, the fairytale had an unexpected ending, as the team fell 3-2 in overtime during the 2023 NCAA National Championship game on April 8, 2023.

In front of over 19,000 people, Kindersley native Justen Close minded the net for the Gophers, but the team just couldn’t garner the win. Despite his disappointment, Close sees many bright spots in an incredible season.

Justen Close has been outstanding in the Minnesota Golden Gophers net. PHOTO BY BJORN FRANKE

“Obviously, it wasn’t how we planned it. But we put up a good battle and gave ourselves a chance. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out,” he said.

“I thought they brought some good chances. We fended them off a lot. But their pressure was kept on the whole game,” he said.

While it wasn’t enough to take the championship, Close is proud of how the season went.

“I think I’m proud of how consistent we were this season. This year there weren’t many downs for us, we were always improving, and we were playing some good hockey,” he said.

For his first two years on the team, Close largely sat on the bench, playing four games over two years. In 2021-2022, he played 21 games and put up a respectable 1.95 GAA and .925 save percentage.

Then this year, everything changed for the senior. When No. 1 goalie Jack LaFontaine left to play for the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, Close took the reins. He posted a 2.02 GAA and .927 save percentage in 37 games during this year’s regular season, with a 26-10-1 record.

“I had the summer knowing this would be my role and wanted to build off the prior year. The job doesn’t change; you just play hard,” he said.

“I think as an athlete, you just always hope to improve. It comes with experience, and you hope to build on it as the days go by.”

New SJHL Klippers Head Coach Clayton Jardine coached Close when he was on the Kindersley team and is happy to see what the 24-year-old had accomplished.

“It’s kind of a great moment. Seeing him getting this big shot the year he’s graduating is amazing. I loved watching him develop and seeing the patience he had. He deserved the opportunity,” said Jardine.

“I’m proud as a coach – It almost feels like being a parent. I’ve been really just happy to watch Justen and all his success.”

The talent on the Gophers team was NHL-calibre, and following the Saturday loss, Matthew Knies debuted for the Toronto Maple Leafs, while Brock Faber joined the Minnesota Wild. Jackson LaCombe also signed a two-year, entry-level deal with the Anaheim Ducks on Monday.

Close was amazed by the talent all around him this season, which also included the Arizona Coyotes’ signing Logan Cooley and St. Louis Blues player Jimmy Snuggerud.

“It’s just been fun this week. They’ve been playing really well in the NHL, and I wish them the best,” he said. “This has been an awesome time and everything I could ask for. We got better every year, and I got to know these players so well. I’m really thankful for the experience.”