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Former hometown Klipper Close honoured as Academic All-American
Finishing an excellent college hockey career at the University of Minnesota, Kindersley's Justen Close also ended his college career on a high note in the classroom. Playing out his final season for the Golden Gophers, Close was one of two players to be named a CSC Academic All-American. It was the first national recognition for Close, after being a regular on the Big 10 Conference top academics list. The Gophers shared the following in a release back on July 17. "Close is a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection and earns the nod as an Academic All-American for the first time in his tenure." stated the University release. "Close was given Minnesota's Lindahl Outstanding Student-Athlete Achievement Award, landed on the Academic All-Big Ten Team for the fourth-straight year, and completed his master's degree this spring." The former Kindersley Jr. Klippers goaltender was a consistent performer on the ice as well during his recently finished tenure at the University of Minnesota. The recent release shared some of his in-game accomplishments over the years in addition to inside the classroom. "(Close) posted a 22-10-5 record in goal and ended the season with 1,052 saves, the fifth-most in the country. An All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection, the Kindersley, Saskatchewan, native earned three Big Ten Conference First Star of the Week honors in 2023-24 and was named a semifinalist for the Mike Richter Award. He ended his career tied for first in Gophers' history for shutouts (13) and save percentage (.924), while sitting second for goals-against average (2.18)." With no more eligibility remaining, there has been no word on Close's next move in hockey. Wherever he goes will be getting a good goalie, as joining Close's college accomplishments, back during his time in Kindersley he won the SJHL Top Goaltender award in both 2017-18 and 2018-19.