The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor First came Bobby Clarke. Next was Reggie Leach. Now another highly touted former Flin Flon Bomber has signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. Forward Andrew Johnston, 20, has inked an entry-level contract with the Flyers, who weren't the only NHL club interested in his services. 'The Flyers were the frontrunners,' he said. 'I talked to their GM (Paul Holmgren) and they laid out all the official numbers, and it was surreal. It was too good to turn down.' So good, in fact, that Johnston left behind an NCAA Division I offer from Union College, where he was committed to for the 2012-2013 season. 'It was a tough decision to make,' said Johnston. 'Calling Union's coach and telling him I'm not coming in the fall was hard on me, but at the same time it's exciting to fulfill a dream and sign a pro contract.' Johnston spent two productive seasons _ 2009-10 and 2010-11 _ with the Bombers, earning 109 points in 113 games. Just prior to the 2011-12 season, at his request, Johnston was traded to the Humboldt Broncos for blueliner Gabe Minville and future considerations. He was Humboldt's leading scorer this past season with an eye-popping 81 points in 58 games. Johnston followed his 81-point regular season with another 10 goals and 14 points in 16 playoff games. In the Broncos' seven-game Anavet Cup series win over Portage, Johnston recorded six goals and nine points. Against the top teams in the country at the RBC Cup, he added another five goals and nine points in five games. He led the tournament in scoring and was named top forward. Defeat hurts The Broncos lost in the recent RBC Cup semi-finals, a defeat that still bothers Johnston. 'It's bittersweet for sure,' he said. 'The feeling of that loss won't go away anytime soon. But there were so many positives. We won the regular season title, the SJHL (Canalta Cup) and the Anavet, but losing the last game of the season still hurts.' Looking ahead, Johnston knows he's got his work cut out for him to crack the Flyers roster. 'I've got a busy summer ahead as far as training,' he said. '(Holmgren) said anything's possible. I could make the (Flyers) team, but it's a long road ahead. There's a rookie camp for all the free agents and undrafted guys after the draft, and then main camp in the fall.' SJHL president Bill Chow congratulated Johnston on the signing. 'The Philadelphia Flyers signing Andrew not only recognizes Andrew's talent level, but the level of competition that Andrew has had to face in his years in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League,' he said. Chow also commended the Bombers and Broncos and their coaches for helping Johnston develop into the player he is. He is just the second SJHL player in the last three years to sign a free agent contract in the NHL. La Ronge Ice Wolves defencemen Dustin Stevenson signed a free agent contract with the Washington Capitals after the 2009-10 season. _ With files from SJHL news releases
