The Sydney Ice Dogs have just signed former 6^th round NHL draft pick Stephen Johnston. Johnston was drafted 181^st by Detroit Red Wings in 2008 and has played in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for the Belleville Bulls and Windsor Spitfires alongside future NHL stars including Nashville Predators defenceman P.K Subban, New Jersey Devils forward Taylor Hall and Washington Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer.

The Ontario, Canada native spent four seasons in the OHL, recording 114 points (47 goals, 67 assists) in 213 career OHL games and won the Memorial Cup with the Windsor Spitfires during the 2009-10 season.  

Johnston has recently played for the St Mary’s University Huskies in the Canadian Interuniversity Sports League (CIS) in Nova Scotia, Canada. The 185cm, 79kg forward registered 44 goals and 49 assists for 107 points, along with 124 penalty minutes in the 103 career games he played with the Huskies. He was named to the CIS Second All-Star Team during the 2014-15 season and has made 15 postseason game appearances (2012-13 and 2014-15), registering 14 points (five goals, nine assists). Johnston scored three goals and assisted in nine others for 12 points in the 10 games he played during the 2015-16 season, however was unable to complete the season due to injury.

Johnston is a strong forward who is hardworking and has developed his offence. Ice Dogs General Manager Jason Juba stated that “Johnston is a huge signing for the club and we are expecting big things from him both on and off the ice. Any time you can get a guy that has played on two Memorial Cup teams and won a Memorial Cup you can’t not be excited.  What we get with Stephen is a big 2-way forward who is highly skilled. What we like most about him is he has a proven track record of winning championships and we look forward to him bringing that experience and leadership into our hockey club”.

“I’m very excited about living in Sydney and playing the game I’ve played since I was six - how could I not be” says Johnston. “From what I’ve been hearing we’ve got a good group of guys and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to a winning season.”

Stephen Johnston should fit right in to the Ice Dogs as he is set to play in the upcoming 2017 AIHL season, beginning April 22^nd at the Macquarie Ice Rink against the Sydney Bears.

Tickets for all Sydney Ice Dogs Home games are available at https://icedogsshop.com.au/collections/tickets