It was a whirlwind year for Ryan Johnston, who put his studies at Colgate University on hold last season to pursue an opportunity to play in the NHL.  And although he would achieve his ultimate goal, it didn’t come without setbacks, sacrifices, and hard work.  Now, with a year of professional hockey under his belt, the blueliner is as confident as ever heading into training camp and intent on cracking the Montreal Canadiens blue line.

Growing up in Sudbury, Ontario as the second youngest of six siblings who were outstanding student-athletes in their own right, Johnston ventured to the United States on an NCAA hockey scholarship to advance his hockey career with Colgate University where he majored in Geology.  Although moving to the United States and acclimating to the atmosphere at NCAA games was a learning experience, he embraced the challenge and enjoyed living in New York State, knowing it was the next step he needed to take along his hockey journey.

“Colgate has a great atmosphere and tradition, and I saw this first hand when I went out there to check out a couple of games before committing to them,” said Johnston.  “I was pretty familiar with the NCAA system with my siblings having attended Harvard and Cornell, but Colgate was actually one of the first teams to look at me. I kept in contact with the team, and ended up signing with them.”

Although he wasn’t drafted to the NHL, Johnston’s play at Colgate did catch the attention of some NHL scouts.  The New Jersey Devils invited him to attend their Development Camp after his sophomore year.  Then, the following season he amassed 15 points in 38 games including a +/- of +12, and was approached by scouts from the Montreal Canadiens who invited him to attend their Development Camp.  His play impressed the Canadiens brass enough that they asked him to put his studies on hold, and offered him a two-year NHL contract.

As delighted as he was to begin his professional career, Johnston’s first year didn’t start off the way he planned.  “I had surgery on my back at the beginning of the year which put me on the shelf for about 6 weeks.  When I did return to the ice, I was a step behind everyone.  I had to work extra hard just to get back into game shape.”

The Canadiens assigned Johnston to their American Hockey League affiliate in St. John’s, Newfoundland where he recovered from surgery and worked towards a return.  “St. John’s is an awesome city and felt like home in a lot of ways.  My Mom is actually from there so it was nice to have that family connection.”

It was the middle of January before he finally suited up for his first pro game with the Ice Caps.  “It was a tough transition for me at first.  It’s been said that the transition from NCAA to the AHL is one of the hardest and most challenging to make.  But St. John’s as a Club was very helpful.  The coaches were patient with me, and I meshed well with the other defensemen.  They helped me learn the little things.  Having a guy like Darren Dietz around who went out of his way to help me along was huge.”

Johnston would go on to record 12 assists in 37 games with the Ice Caps last season, but it was an unexpected phone call following a Saturday night game that made the setbacks, sacrifice, and training all worthwhile.

“I was out with the team for dinner after our game, and it was around midnight when my phone started ringing and saw it was our General Manager calling.  I knew something must be up if he was calling me that late on a Saturday night.  He told me the good news that I was being called up to the Canadiens, and I left for Montreal the next day.”

Playing in front of a sold out crowd at the Bell Center in Montreal against Jaromir Jagr and the Florida Panthers would likely rattle the nerves of even the most veteran players.  Although he admits he was nervous, Johnston was able to keep a calm demeanor throughout his NHL debut.  “As soon as I got called up and joined the team in Montreal, the guys on the Canadiens were real friendly which was comforting as it helped me not be too tense and uptight for my first NHL game.”

Johnston would go on to play three games for Montreal before returning to St. John’s where he recorded 3 assists in his first game back.  But he took away plenty of experience that will serve him well heading into the 2016-17 season.  “The main thing I took away from my time in Montreal is confidence.  I had a tough start to the season last year with the injury, and then to step into my first AHL game felt different.  But as the season went on, and by the time I got into those NHL games with Montreal, I had more confidence in my own abilities and self awareness to play well and help the team.”

His game also steadily progressed throughout the year thanks in part to the tutelage he received from his St. John’s teammates and coaches both on and off the ice.  “Gabriel Dumont was our Captain at the age of 25 and here I was as a rookie at 24.  Learning from a guy like John Scott was no different.  Being successful is about hard work and commitment.  Those guys put in a lot of hours.  No matter what, stick to the characteristics and attributes that make you shine any way you can.”

Johnston returned to Sudbury following the season, and enjoys the serenity of his hometown during the summer months.  “I like to relax back home in Sudbury.  That’s how I unwind.  I did my training routine and saw a lot of family and friends, but now it’s time to focus on the season ahead.”

His primary goal is to make the Canadiens opening day roster for the 2016-17 season.  However, should that not materialize, he knows the amount of hard work and commitment he must put in to get back to the NHL.  “I’m going to play hard at training camp, and if the team does decide to send me to St. John’s, I want to show them that I belong in the NHL and will just have to play with the same confidence I played with last year to work my way back up.”

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