Ben Johnstone, son of Larry and Deb of Carlyle, has been signed to the Estevan Bruins. Born in 1993, Johnstone who plays centre and right wing has been playing hockey for the past 15 years. Last year, the Carlyle native played for the Yorkton AAA Harvest. This season, he hopes to get some playing time with the Estevan Bruins.
Johnstone, who attended the Estevan Bruins annual spring camp from April 8 to 10, has always had hopes of playing for the Bruins. "When they told me at spring camp [that they were going to sign me], I was very excited. But I didn't get my hopes up too much until it really happened in June. When Keith showed up at the farm, my initial reaction was ecstatic. Because ever since I was a little kid playing minor hockey in Estevan, I always wanted to be a part of the Bruin organization."
Keith Cassidy, Head Coach and GM of the Estevan bruins, and his scouting staff saw nearly 60 prospects at the annual spring camp held April 8 to 10 in Estevan this year. Cassidy's decision to sign Johnstone to a card had a lot of do with the effort he shows on the ice. Cassidy said "According to our scouting staff, Ben is a high energy player who plays much bigger than his physical attributes. He is fearless, and is willing to go to places many players shy away from - high traffic areas, corners, front of the net - any place where there's lots of action and potential for physical play. The places where games are won and lost."
Building a team is about more than strictly hockey skills, attitude plays a large role. Cassidy said "His energy is contagious. In meeting with him, he seems genuine in his enthusiasm for the game of hockey, and presents himself as a person willing to do things the right way to become an impact player - a good character person. This character, should he continue to develop as a player and a person, will allow him to take on a leadership role."
As for Johnstone's hockey plans in the upcoming years, "I just want to make it as far as I can get. So I know in the future, I gave it all I could, and made it as far as I could. I'm hoping playing with the Bruins will develop me more than I already am, and [lead] me to better hockey in the future."
Coach Cassidy said "Now that he has been signed, the next step is for him to come to training camp in the best possible mental and physical shape in order to make the hockey club. I have no doubt that is exactly what he will do."
"I see a bright future for Ben as an Estevan Bruin. He is a character individual with a passion for the game. He wants to be a hockey player, and wants to develop to the the limits of his potential. I am very much looking forward to working with him this upcoming season."
