Johnny Ulicny: On The Spot
Johnny Ulicny shoots the puck for the Markham Royals – Photo by Andy Corneau / OJHL Images
A Chatham-Kent Cyclones forward in Major Bantam. An OHL Draft of the Windsor Spitfires playing Minor Midget ‘AAA’ with the Sun County Panthers. Junior B with the Leamington Flyers as an underager, getting the chance to play in the GOJHL’s Futures Game. This season, he stepped into Junior A with the Markham Royals, and was selected to participate in the OJHL Top Prospects Game.
That’s quite the journey over recent seasons. Ulicny found the step this season a challenging one.
“My first season in the OJHL was a big jump from playing Junior B last year,” said Ulicny. “It was my first year playing away from home and I learned a lot of life lessons within the game itself, but more importantly about personal responsibility and independence in life itself. In regards to the hockey, it was a big jump and definitely a lot harder. I think this because the older guys in the league are better due to the fact that most are still trying to make the jump to the next level whether a D1 scholarship, D3 school, or Canadian University.”
This season with Markham, Ulicny scored 12 goals and 27 points in 55 games.
Overall, his experience, including the Top Prospects game, with the Markham Royals, and in the OJHL has been positive, and he feels as though he’s building toward a bigger season ahead.
“The recognition in the prospects game was a great start,” said Ulicny of his season. “The OJHL did a fantastic job putting on the event for all players, coaches and staff to enjoy. From a personal standpoint, it was great to be noticed by some Division I schools early in the season. To this day I’ve had personal contact with schools via text and email. I know my coach Mike Galati has also been doing some advocating for me with several schools. It is great to be recognized, but I know my work is not complete.”
After a season with the Leamington Flyers, and one with Markham, Ulicny believes his game is ready to take off.
“I really believe that with two years of Junior under my belt I can take my game to a new level next season. I continue to train at home during these unprecedented times and hope that at some point I can get back on the ice soon.”