Ontario Junior Hockey League resident writer Ron Valentine is profiling the 2023-24 team captains across The OJ. (Photo by Jamie Green / OJHL Images)
BY RON VALENTINE
Ajax native James Johnson is captaining the 2023-24 edition of the Toronto Patriots. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound defenceman is one of the few returnees on the team.
Last season, the club finished in sixth place in the old South-East conference with 64 points. They were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round by the Haliburton Huskies in five games, two of which went into extra time. James scored his first OJHL goal in his fourth game for the team against the Brantford 99ers in mid-October.
James looks back and forward.
“I played my minor hockey for the Ajax-Pickering Raiders and in midget and major-midget for the Whitby Wildcats. In the 2021-22, I got my introduction into junior hockey with the Powassan VooDoos. I learned a lot there and enjoyed the town but I felt that I needed a little more exposure for my progression and the Patriots were near home and a really good fit for me. (Then) Coach (Geoff) Schomogyi had us playing an excellent system and we had a good season overall but could not quite get it done in the playoffs against the Huskies.”
“Unfortunately, I spent a lot of the first half of the season battling injuries and only got into 34 games (out of a possible 54) but by the end of the year I was fully healthy.”
“It’s been a tough off-season for us with the ownership change and several players deciding to move on but now we have Vince (Bellissimo) behind the bench and he brings a winning record from his time with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, Geoff and Vince are very professional coaches, so we have been fortunate to have them both.”
“We have picked up two experienced players in the off-season that will really help us in Carson Eagles from the Stouffville Spirit and Brad Barker, who had two seasons with the Markham Royals and was a member of Canada’s under-18 softball team.”
“We have two very talented and fast young forwards in Evan Dantas and Zach Vickerman. Both played last season in the NOJHL with the Elliot Lake Red Wings (now Vikings) as well as Matthew Manza, who is just 16 and already has a scholarship with Ohio State. He is a fast learner and has a ton of potential. Our goaltending has been strengthened by the addition of Braeden Shaikh who played a lot of games last season for the Mississauga Chargers.”
“Eagles, plus newly-acquired Dylan Edwards, who we got from the OHL Erie Otters, and who came in with a great attitude, have been named assistant captains. Other new signings that have made our team much better are Toby Iantorno who started the season in the AJHL for the Bonnyville Pontiacs and J.J.Franceschetti, who spent last season in B.C.”
“With lower expectations this season we will still be a sleeper team in the league. Our young core are skilled and eager to make a name for themselves. They are fitting in well into the structure that Vince has created. It may sound like a lot of changes for us, and it is, but everyone has fitted so well into their roles and you can see the improvements since early in the season.”
“Personally, I’m working on becoming a complete player that can play in all situations. I’ll be concentrating on my play with the puck and increasing my confidence in all areas. I like to use my body, being a bigger guy, and set an example by winning the tough battles that it takes to win games. With one more season of junior hockey left I want to position myself to be able to earn an NCAA scholarship.”
“Off the ice, when I’m not in the gym, you’ll probably find me with a book. I’m an avid reader.”
With one more season left in the OJHL, look for James, a real student of the game, to become a dominant presence on the blueline for the Patriots.
Follow Ron Valentine on X @ronandlynda
