Ryan Johnston Explained

Team:Free Agent
Former Teams:Montreal Canadiens
Luleå HF
HC Lugano
Mora IK
Iserlohn Roosters
HPK
Position:Defence
Birth Date:14 February 1992
Birth Place:Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Height Ft:5
Height In:10
Weight Lb:180
Shoots:Right
Draft:Undrafted
Career Start:2015

Ryan Johnston (born February 14, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently an unrestricted free agent. He has previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Montreal Canadiens.

Playing career

Born in Sudbury, Ontario, Johnston played three years of college hockey with the Colgate Raiders. In the summer of 2015, he signed a two-year two-way deal with the Canadiens and played the 2015–16 with Montreal's AHL affiliate, the St. John's IceCaps.[1] After a string of injuries to Canadiens' defenceman, Johnston was called up and played his first NHL game on April 5, 2016.[2]

After his entry-level contract with the Canadiens having played in 10 games for two seasons, Johnston left the Canadiens as an impending restricted free agent, agreeing to a two-year contract with Top Tier SHL club, Luleå HF, on June 26, 2017.[3] In the 2017–18 season, Johnston registered 2 goals and 11 points in 36 games on the blueline for Luleå. He was loaned after the season to playoff-bound Swiss club, HC Lugano of the National League on February 28, 2018. Johnston enjoyed a successful post-season with Lugano, posting 10 points in just 17 games.

On September 15, 2018, Johnston transferred his SHL contract to play with Mora IK for the 2018–19 season.[4] Johnston responded with his new club in recording a career season, by posting 3 goals and 22 points in 50 regular season games. Despite posting 6 points in 5 SHL Kvalserien games, Johnston could not prevent Mora from returning to the Allsvenskan.

As a free agent from Mora, Johnston returned to North America by securing a one-year AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies on July 18, 2019.[5] After attending the Marlies training camp, Johnston began the 2019–20 season as a healthy scratch. Before making his debut with the Marlies, Johnston was traded to the San Diego Gulls, an affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks, for future considerations on October 31, 2019.[6]

Johnston after his contract with the Gulls, opted to return to Europe as a free agent. He belatedly agreed to join the German outfit, the Iserlohn Roosters of the DEL, on December 18, 2020.[7]

Personal life

Johnston's sister Rebecca is a member of the Canada women's national ice hockey team and a two-time Olympic gold winner.[8] Their uncle Mike Johnston was the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2014–15 and part of the 2015–16 seasons and an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings.[9]

Career statistics

Team League GP GPG A Pts PIM
2009–10Elmira Sugar KingsGOJHL373202320120334
2010–11Nepean RaidersCCHL581131423271346
2011–12Nepean RaidersCCHL56175471321899188
2012–13Colgate UniversityECAC3508830
2013–14Colgate UniversityECAC374151937
2014–15Colgate UniversityECAC381141526
2015–16St. John's IceCapsAHL370121214
2015–16Montreal CanadiensNHL30000
2016–17St. John's IceCapsAHL505131822
2016–17Montreal CanadiensNHL70004
2017–18Luleå HFSHL36291126
2017–18HC LuganoNL1022017281020
2018–19Mora IKSHL503192236
2019–20San Diego GullsAHL151560
2019–20Idaho SteelheadsECHL40115
2020–21Iserlohn RoostersDEL173101310
2021–22HPKLiiga41416208120110
NHL totals100004

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Canadiens sign defenseman Ryan Johnston to a two-year contract . . 7 July 2015 . 5 April 2016.
  2. Web site: Sudbury's Ryan Johnston makes NHL debut tonight . . 5 April 2016 . 5 April 2016.
  3. Web site: Offensive defenseman ready for LHF . . 2017-06-26 . 2017-06-26 . Swedish.
  4. Web site: Mora recruits NHL defenseman Johnston . . 2018-09-15 . 2018-09-15 . Swedish.
  5. Web site: Marlies sign Ryan Johnston and Michael Kapla . . July 18, 2019 . July 18, 2019.
  6. Web site: Gulls acquire Ryan Johnston from Toronto Marlies . . October 31, 2019 . October 31, 2019.
  7. Web site: Ryan Johnston added to Roosters defense . . December 18, 2020 . December 18, 2020 . German.
  8. Web site: Ryan & Rebecca Johnston rich in hockey DNA . . 5 April 2016 . 6 April 2016.
  9. Web site: Canadiens prospect Johnston puts university on hold for shot at pro hockey . . September 16, 2015 . 13 April 2016.