Brendan Johnston Makes OHL Debut

Brendan Johnston with the Chatham Maroons - Photo by Helen Heath

Brendan Johnston with the Chatham Maroons – Photo by Helen Heath

Wallaceburg’s Brendan Johnston made his Ontario Hockey League debut Saturday night for the Windsor Spitfires in a relief effort.

After starter Dalen Kuchmey allowed 4 goals on 34 shots, the Spitfires decided to put the rookie netminder in for the final 9:05 of the third period. The Spitfires lost the game, which was against the Plymouth Whalers, 5-0.

“There has never been a more rewarding feeling in my life,” said Johnston about his first OHL game action. “All the hard work I have put in is finally paying off, but it’s just the beginning of a long road. A lot more hard work is to come to try my best to take the next step in my career.”

Johnston made 2 saves and allowed a goal in that span. It was the 16-year-olds first regular season action. He has backed up the Spitfires during multiple spans this season, including their last handful of games, and saw preseason action in the Windsor net.

Johnston, who was a 5th round selection of the Spitfires last season while playing with the Chatham-Kent Cyclones Minor Midget ‘AAA’ team, stole the starting job with the Chatham Maroons earlier this season from veteran Darien Ekblad, before the Maroons brought in Jacob Keogh who took over the reigns.

In 20 games with the Chatham Maroons this season, Johnston, a Wallaceburg District Secondary School student, collected a 3.58 GAA and 0.878 save percentage, and an 11-5-2 record.

Johnston becomes the second player from last season’s Chatham-Kent Cyclones draft class to play in the OHL this season after James McEwan, who also plays for the Chatham Maroons, suited up for four games with the Guelph Storm over the Christmas break.

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