Panthers looking for Johnstone to kick out pucks

September 27th, 2020
North Saanich, British Columbia

Carter Johnson played last season with the Mike Cox coached Victoria Admirals Tier 1 Midget squad and had an outstanding season, his last one at the Midget level.  The 18-year-old practiced quite a number of times with the Panthers late in that season and was a regular in the stands at Panthers' games.  And this time around after all the dust has settled, Johnstone will be kicking out pucks for the Peninsula Panthers in the most unusual season of Junior Hockey ever. 

"Mike (Cox) was really high on Carter and he let us know that we should keep an eye on the kid," explained GM Pete Zubersky.  "Brad (Head Coach Brad Tippett) started to have him out to practice and once he settled in a bit, we felt like he could play at our level.  This year is going to be a challenge with everything that is happening in terms of Covid19 and for that reason we have decided to go with three Goalies.  Evans (20) and Svienson (19) have played in Junior and have an experienced edge on Johnstone.  The three of them will be in a battle for minutes, really not unlike our defencemen or forwards.  Carter was away at Merritt's BCHL Camp during our Identification Camp in July and then he attended Salmon Arm's BCHL Camp in August.  The rules surrounding Covid19 has players returning from Junior A Camps forced to sit on the sidelines for a minimum of two weeks and so he missed another three weeks with us.  He just got onto the ice a few days ago and so now has a bit of catching up to do.  But he has some talent and we are now in a position to watch and evaluate all three goaltenders." 

Johnstone on Johnstone:
"Last season was great. Lots of high work ethic, talented players made it so we could win alot of games.  Our team brought home the league banner as well as the Victoria Classic Trophy, and I took home the tournament MVP.  During the season I stood my ground, winning almost every game I played in.  We have lots of the guys from the team together again here with the Panthers which will further improve how well the guys work together.

I can't wait to be part of the Panthers' community.  I am looking forward to the combination of the strong returning squad with the new group of players.  And I also look forward to showing my calming reliability in net hopefully to help bring home the Championship to the Peninsula.  The team looks very solid this year and I am excited to have some of the Leagues best defenceman in front of me."

Tippett on Johnstone:
"Carter practiced a lot with us last season. He stands tall in the net and forces shooters to beat him. He had attended a Jr A camp which forced him to sit out the required 14 days after. We have been working in practice getting him used to the defenseman. Victoria Admirals' coach Mike Cox relied on him last year in big games. He looks ready to make the jump to junior hockey."