Johnston, Vandenboorn Welcome Additions To Jr Kings
Nolan Vandenboorn (pictured) and Brendan Johnston are expected to suit up for the Dresden Jr Kings on Friday night – Photo by Helen Heath/ Chatham Maroons
Brendan Johnston and Nolan Vandenboorn are more than welcome additions to the roster of the Dresden Jr Kings.
The pair of impact players, acquired from the Chatham Maroons, are set to make their debuts with the Kings Friday night as Dresden hosts Amherstburg.
Club president Dave Cameron hopes the two new faces will take the Kings to the next level.
“Nolan is a proven point producer and should excel at the (PJHL) level,” said Cameron. “It’s hard to replace the season Dillon Liberty gave Dresden last year, but this certainly helps.”
Vandenboorn, a Ridgetown product, finished fourth on the Junior B GOJHL Chatham Maroons in scoring last season scoring 26 goals and 47 points in 45 games for the Maroons. The three year Junior veteran, split the 2015-2016 season between the Chatham Maroons and the Blenheim Blades. Vandenboorn, also a 1997 birth year, joins his younger brother Geoffry Vandenboorn on the Kings’ roster.
The addition of Johnston, a former OHL goaltender with a proven pedigree could be a game changer for Dresden.
“We think and hope that Brendan can lead us to a bunch of wins. At this level, and most others, it starts in net. He should be capable of being one of the elite goaltenders in the PJHL.”
With two years of junior eligibility remaining, Johnston has the chance to play close to home with familiar faces. The Kings suggest that was a helpful factor in the acquisition of the netminder.
“Brendan was the talk of the town as a prospect,” added Cameron. “He’s got some friends on the Kings roster, and at this point in his career, I think it’s time to have some fun and enjoy the game.”
Johnston, a 1997 born goalie from Port Lambton, played 41 OHL games over three seasons with the Windsor Spitfires and Flint Firebirds, including the 2014-2015 campaign when he played 37 games, collecting a 4.71 GAA and .871 save percentage for the Spitfires, who originally drafted him 97th overall in 2013. Johnston has also appeared in 84 regular season and playoff games for the GOJHL’s Chatham Maroons. Last season in 29 games for Chatham, Johnston had a 3.02 GAA and .907 save percentage.
Johnston and Vandenboorn were acquired from Chatham for cash considerations.