JOHNSTON SENT BACK TO SUMMERSIDE

Tough guy Will Johnston has been sent back to the Summerside Western Capitals of the Maritime Junior ‘A’ Hockey League. The move was announced by Saint John Sea Dogs’ director of hockey operations Mike Kelly this afternoon.

Johnston was recalled by the Sea Dogs on February 9 after Stephen MacAulay went down with an upper body injury. In his return with the club, the 19-year recorded his first career goal and is now a -1 in five games with Saint John.

“Will the Thrill” opened the scoring on Sunday afternoon when he beat Olivier Roy on a rebound. He even spent some time on the power play and on the top line with Mike Hoffman and Nicholas Petersen.

Before leaving, Johnston had registered 35GP-19G-19A-38P as a member of the Western Capitals this season. He currently leads the MJAHL in penalty minutes with 191.

A native of Charlottetown, PEI, Johnston tallied 37GP-5G-18A-23P-231PIM with Summerside during the 2008-09 campaign, adding 13GP-1G-2A-3P-75PIM during the team's successful playoff run last year.

Saint John acquired Johnston's major junior rights from Montreal on August 19, 2009, in a trade that sent a 12th round entry draft pick to the Juniors. The 6'4", 224 lb. winger was originally selected by the Shawinigan Cataractes in the sixth round (91st overall) of the 2007 QMJHL Entry Draft.

Known more for his fists than his scoring ability, Johnston has only gotten into one fight in five games with the Dogs. He took on Kalin Paul of the Eagles in a great fight in January and got the unanimous decision with the take down. Paul was hurt during the scrap.

Johnston remains Saint John property as he rejoins the junior ‘A’ ranks.