Gophers' Justen Close named Big Ten First Star of the Week

Goaltender had 62 saves in weekend series against border rival Wisconsin.

Gophers men’s hockey goaltender Justen Close was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week on Tuesday for his efforts in Minnesota's weekend series in Madison, Wis., against border rival Wisconsin.

It’s the second weekly honor this season for Close, a graduate student, who had 40 saves on 41 shots in a 2-1 overtime win over the Badgers on Friday and followed that performance up by stopping 22 of 23 shots in a 1-1 tie against Wisconsin on Saturday.

It’s the fifth straight week that a Gophers player has garnered a weekly award from the Big Ten. Seven Minnesota players have gotten nods this season, including Close (Oct. 24, Tuesday), Rhett Pitlick (Nov. 7, Dec. 5, Jan. 23), Jimmy Snuggerud (Oct. 17, Jan. 10), Oliver Moore (Jan. 30), Sam Rinzel (Jan. 16), Bryce Brodzinski (Nov. 28) and Brody Lamb (Nov. 14).

Close has a 15-7-5 record with 760 saves, a 2.41 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage. He ranks eighth in the country in save percentage and 15th in GAA. 

Minnesota goaltender Justen Close (1) makes a save against Quinnipiac in the first period during the national championship game of the 2023 Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., on April 8, 2023 :: Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA TODAY Sports