Justin Pogge was born April 22, 1986 in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Pogge played his first one-and-a-half seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Prince George Cougars before being dealt to the Calgary Hitmen at the 2004-05 trade deadline. After his rookie season with the Cougars, he was drafted in the third round, 90th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Playing for the Hitmen in 2005-06, Pogge was awarded the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as league MVP as well as the CHL Goaltender of the Year Award and Del Wilson Trophy as the top WHL goaltender with a 1.72 goals against average (GAA) and 11 shutouts.
Pogge began his professional career in the American Hockey League with the Toronto Marlies, receiving the Marlies Fan Choice Award in his rookie season. The next year, on December 22, 2008, Pogge would make his NHL debut, beating the Atlanta Thrashers 6-2.
On August 10, 2009, Pogge was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for a conditional 2011 draft pick, though his time in California would be short lived. On March 3, 2010, the NHL trade deadline, Pogge was traded again, this time to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Aaron Ward.
