As a goaltender Joe Rogers is the last line of defense for the Albert Lea Thunder, a demanding position to be sure, but Rogers can make it look easy even though he isn’t built like other goaltenders.

Rogers was born without a complete right hand and uses a specially designed glove. He can’t close the glove but brings the glove and puck to his chest immediately after a shot.

The absence of a full right hand hasn’t affected Rogers as much as people would think. He played baseball growing up, wrestled and plays golf when he has free time.

Rogers, a mild-mannered 19-year-old, has a 6-10-2 record and a 3.92 goals against average and a save percentage of .889 in his first season with the Thunder and he’s heading to Notre Dame next fall to play hockey and study finance.

Rogers has a maturity and self-assuredness unlike many his age. Few have experienced the difficulties Rogers has dealt with in wanting to compete at a high level.

Jim Abbott, the former Major League Baseball pitcher was also born without a right hand and went on to win a gold medal and throw a no hitter in his career. Abbott, like Rogers, is a Michigan native and the two became friends.

Rogers was introduced to Abbott a few years ago at a March of Dimes awards ceremony through the father of a friend who played on Rogers’ hockey team. The two remain in touch and exchange e-mails frequently as Abbott has become a mentor for Rogers.

“I’ve looked up to him as a kid,” Rogers said.

The relationship is special for Rogers because of the shared experience, but it’s also one that helps him when in need.

Abbott wrote a letter to Rogers that Rogers keeps in his bedroom at home in Marysville, Mich., which is about 60 miles north of Detroit. Rogers said the letter helps motivate him and he reads it for inspiration when he needs a lift.

Athletically, success has followed Rogers for much of his career. He won two national championships, one at minor midgets and another at major midgets. He followed his major midget championship by making the Albert Lea team this season and later an offer to play at Notre Dame.

Age: 19

Hometown: Marysville, Mich.

Livelihood: junior hockey player and day trader

Family: father, Scott; mother, Lynne; sisters Jenna, 17, and Jacque, 11

Interesting fact: He collects coins.

Off the ice he’s a motivated young man, who with his father started a finance company called, Dividiv Company.

At 19 he’s well versed in the financial world and works as a day trader between practices and games. It’s much like a regular job for Rogers.

“The days we don’t work out in the morning I’ll be at my computer at 8:30 and sitting there until I have to go to the rink,” Rogers said.

Rogers started investing at 16 when he opened a brokerage account, but quickly made his way into trading on the futures market. Day trading is a highly risky venture where investors profit on small increases in a short time span.

Rogers trades exclusively on the E-mini S&P and will make anywhere from one to four trades a day, which could range from five minutes to two hours.

Through hockey Rogers has learned how to act as a securer of the goal, but it appears his knowledge of securities might prove more valuable in the future.