Ross Johnston has now played in the best hockey league in the world.
The first-year pro from Suffolk made his NHL debut Sunday in Brooklyn, N.Y., as the New York Islanders played their final regular season game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
"The first shift was obviously something pretty special. Stepping on the ice for the first time in that uniform, in that rink, it's something I will remember forever," Johnston said Tuesday.
Wearing No. 52, the six-foot-five, 232-pound left-winger received 16 minutes of ice time, delivered six hits and took slashing and high-sticking penalties.
He skated on a line with Brock Nelson and Steve Bernier, a former Moncton Wildcat.
"They were great to talk to me and coach me through it," Johnston said.
It was a whirlwind 24 hours for the 22-year-old Johnston.
He and his Brideport Sound Tigers were on their way home from an AHL road game against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Saturday when Johnston's night changed.
Playing cards on the bus, Johnston was summoned to the front where head coach Brent Thompson said the forward was going to play in the NHL the next day.
Johnston pulled out of the card game in order to share the good news with his family and friends.
"I had three more hour on the bus to let it settle in and let everyone know," he said.
Johnston's older brother, William, and cousin Chris MacPhee quickly bought flights to New York and made it to the Barclays Center in time to catch the debut.
"They were pretty excited, and I was obviously very excited to have them come down and watch the game," Johnston said.
Making his debut late in his first pro year, he said, was special, given a lower-body injury kept him out of the lineup from Christmas to mid-February.
"It's kind of nice to be rewarded at the end of the year with a game."
Now he is back with his Tigers teammates, looking to clinch a playoff spot during its final three regular season games this weekend. Bridgeport's (39-27-4-3) magic number to clinch a post-season berth was two heading into Wednesday's games.
"It's been a great year, a great learning experience," said Johnston, who has a goal, three assists and 64 penalty minutes in 37 games this season.
Johnston cherishes the NHL game, but he also looks as it as a goal to get back there.
"You see what you need to do and what it takes to perform at that level," he said. "The players at that level make such smart decisions with the puck and they're poised with the puck."
Need to know
Ross Johnston
Who - A 22-year-old professional hockey player from Suffolk.
Plays for - Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL).
The latest - Made his NHL debut Sunday with the New York Islanders in the final game of the regular season. Returned to Bridgeport after the game.
Junior teams - Summerside Western Capitals, Moncton Wildcats, Victoriaville Tigres and Charlottetown Islanders. Johnston said he has good memories from all of his stops along his journey to pro hockey. "I am very grateful to each spot for (helping) to get me to where I am now and I will always be appreciative of that." He wished the Islanders, who he played for last season, well in their second-round series with the Shawinigan Cataractes.
Did you know? Recorded his first career points as a pro with two assists on Oct. 11 vs. St. John's IceCaps. Scored his first professional goal, the eventual game-winner, on Oct. 16 at Providence.
By the numbers
16:17 Amount of ice time Ross Johnston received in his NHL debut.
1:22 Power-play time.
0:25 Shorthanded time.
6 Hits.
4 Penalty minutes.
Ross Johnston has now played in the best hockey league in the world.
The first-year pro from Suffolk made his NHL debut Sunday in Brooklyn, N.Y., as the New York Islanders played their final regular season game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
"The first shift was obviously something pretty special. Stepping on the ice for the first time in that uniform, in that rink, it's something I will remember forever," Johnston said Tuesday.
Wearing No. 52, the six-foot-five, 232-pound left-winger received 16 minutes of ice time, delivered six hits and took slashing and high-sticking penalties.
He skated on a line with Brock Nelson and Steve Bernier, a former Moncton Wildcat.
"They were great to talk to me and coach me through it," Johnston said.
It was a whirlwind 24 hours for the 22-year-old Johnston.
He and his Brideport Sound Tigers were on their way home from an AHL road game against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Saturday when Johnston's night changed.
Playing cards on the bus, Johnston was summoned to the front where head coach Brent Thompson said the forward was going to play in the NHL the next day.
Johnston pulled out of the card game in order to share the good news with his family and friends.
"I had three more hour on the bus to let it settle in and let everyone know," he said.
Johnston's older brother, William, and cousin Chris MacPhee quickly bought flights to New York and made it to the Barclays Center in time to catch the debut.
"They were pretty excited, and I was obviously very excited to have them come down and watch the game," Johnston said.
Making his debut late in his first pro year, he said, was special, given a lower-body injury kept him out of the lineup from Christmas to mid-February.
"It's kind of nice to be rewarded at the end of the year with a game."
Now he is back with his Tigers teammates, looking to clinch a playoff spot during its final three regular season games this weekend. Bridgeport's (39-27-4-3) magic number to clinch a post-season berth was two heading into Wednesday's games.
"It's been a great year, a great learning experience," said Johnston, who has a goal, three assists and 64 penalty minutes in 37 games this season.
Johnston cherishes the NHL game, but he also looks as it as a goal to get back there.
"You see what you need to do and what it takes to perform at that level," he said. "The players at that level make such smart decisions with the puck and they're poised with the puck."
Need to know
Ross Johnston
Who - A 22-year-old professional hockey player from Suffolk.
Plays for - Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL).
The latest - Made his NHL debut Sunday with the New York Islanders in the final game of the regular season. Returned to Bridgeport after the game.
Junior teams - Summerside Western Capitals, Moncton Wildcats, Victoriaville Tigres and Charlottetown Islanders. Johnston said he has good memories from all of his stops along his journey to pro hockey. "I am very grateful to each spot for (helping) to get me to where I am now and I will always be appreciative of that." He wished the Islanders, who he played for last season, well in their second-round series with the Shawinigan Cataractes.
Did you know? Recorded his first career points as a pro with two assists on Oct. 11 vs. St. John's IceCaps. Scored his first professional goal, the eventual game-winner, on Oct. 16 at Providence.
By the numbers
16:17 Amount of ice time Ross Johnston received in his NHL debut.
1:22 Power-play time.
0:25 Shorthanded time.
6 Hits.
4 Penalty minutes.
