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Ex-Bomber Johnston makes European jump

As an 18-year-old, Andrew Johnston came to Flin Flon to play with the Bombers and see where his hockey career could go. Now, he is in France playing in his seventh professional season.
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As an 18-year-old, Andrew Johnston came to Flin Flon to play with the Bombers and see where his hockey career could go.

Now, he is in France playing in his seventh professional season. His pro journey includes three years in Europe and time with eight squads in the minor leagues in the United States. What keeps the Saskatoon product playing?

“I love hockey,” he said. “It’s where my passion is. It never feels like it’s a job.”

At 27, Johnston is still playing at a high level. As of Sunday, he was first on his Bordeaux squad in scoring with 26 points in 23 games. Teammate Adam Hughesman, who grew up in Winnipeg, said “He’s a go to guy... he doesn’t shy away from that.”

“Andrew brings a very competitive mindset to the team,” Hughesman said. “He always pushes himself in practice, team workouts, and games, and sets the bar high for everyone else. He leads by example. He does everything in his power to help the team win every night.”

“He’s got great speed, amazing vision, and an accurate shot.”

When he was 17,  Johnston suited up for four games with the Bombers while playing midget AAA for the Saskatoon Contacts. The next season he had 13 goals and 39 points as a rookie. In 2010-2011, he was a second-team Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League all-star and had 43 points for the Bombers. When asked what he enjoyed about his time in Flin Flon, Johnston said, ”The Whitney Forum, moose legs, and fishing. I did a lot of fishing and I need to come back up sometime soon.”

He was swapped to Humboldt before the next season in a deal that would eventually bring standout defenceman Josh Roach north. Johnston helped the Broncos win the 2012 SJHL championship. The team made it to the semifinals of the national Junior A Royal Bank Cup, which they hosted.

After his junior career, Johnston signed a contract with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers. He played parts of the next three seasons with the Flyers’ top farm teams – the Adirondack Phantoms and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms – in the American Hockey League. In his first four pro seasons, Johnston also suited up in the ECHL for six teams in such places as Orlando, Fla., Trenton, NJ and Tulsa, Okla.

“It was awesome playing one step away from the NHL,” he said. “I would have loved to have made it obviously, but I really enjoyed my time in North America and now I’m enjoying the next chapter in Europe.”

Johnston suited up for France’s Chamonix last season and competed for DVTK Jegesmedvék in Hungary in 2016-2017. He noted that the game is less physical overseas and there are only 44 games in a season, compared to 70 or more in North America.

“I love the lifestyle in Europe,” Johnston said. “We just had our first child and it’s a great way to live and raise a baby.”

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