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22 big ’21. 2008 BY MIKE HAYAKAWA Stafi Writer When the Stoufiville Spirit's hockey season come to an end last season, it marked the end of Randy Johnston’s era with the Provincial Jr. A Hockey League club. CompflingZBgoalsandZZassistsinjust33 games and battling a concussion last season, Johnston me a representative of the Fury a Yeamgoz 7 That led to an invitation to a week-long camp the Fury held last month in Muskegon. Head coach Bruce Ramsay was impressed. CONFERENCE-WINNING GOAL IN 2006 “They liked what they saw of me, took me out for lunch when the camp ended said they would like to have me. About one week later, I signed a contract," Johnston said. 'The contact is for one year and is based on a league salary cap. Terms of the deal were not revealed. While the club has no afliliation with any National Hockey League teams, Johnston hopes to parlay his time with the Fury into something bigger and better down the road. he “All I want to do is put up same good numâ€" bers and try to provide some leadership like I did when I was with the Spirit," he said. ‘ The 21-year-old captain is one of only two players in the club's 13-year history to play five years with the organization. ].D. Smithson was the other. The Newmarket resident will play in Mus- kegon, Mich, as a member of the Muskegon Fury of the International Hockey League. “It sure feels good; it definiter takés a load 03 of my shoulders knowing where I’m going to be playing,” Johnston said. He said he's free of any concussion sympâ€" toms he expen'encai last year. Just as impor- tant, he’s excited with the prospects of joining his new team. IHL teams have to dress at least three rook- ies and can only use three forward lines. Johnston. who played briefly with Ottawa and Barrie of the Ontario Hockey league durâ€" ing his junior days, scored the series-clinch- ing goal in overtime to give the Spirit its only North Conference championship in 2006. While entertaining thoughts of playing university hockey this fall in Ontario, John- ston received a pro contract offer. 1b W DONKI'I or VOLIII'I'III Contact nfletcher©yrmg.com or pburgess@yrmg.com Time: 9am - noon _ R Location: Old Unionvlfle Library and 'l'oogood Pond Paths .........- (in-ii; ‘ Intersection: Main St 3. Carlton ltd “W” w W Address: Old Unlonvllle Library, 15 Library Rd., Unionville, ON ~ H ‘ :5. w ;. .i n A " distances “I’ve got to get my feet wet somewhere," Johnston goes pro with Fury Graduating captain Randy Johnston (centre) gets a workout between Myles Games (left) and Darren Ardnibald at Stoufl'ville Spirit training campattheStoufl'villeAremTuesdayJohnstonhassignedaprocontractwifllaMidniganteam,whileGomeshasretu1-nedtotheteam. In the case of Myles Gomes, who launched his tier two junior A hockey career as a defenceman with the Stouflville Spirit three seasons ago before going to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey league last season, he's come back full circle with the Provincial Jr. A Hockey League team where he started with. “It feels pretty good," he said. “I’vevsikated with some of the guys on the team already and it should be a fun year." Gomes played for three clubs in the QMIHL beginning with the Moncton Wild- cats before he was dealt at Christmas time to Baie-Comeau Drakkar and two weeks later shipped to Prince Edward Island Rocket. OnceaStoufiville Spirit, alwaysaStoufi'ville Spirit In making his second tour of duty on the Spirit’s blueline, the 20-year-old Whitchurch- Stouffyille resident couldn’t be any happier. The Spirit, which opened training camp Monday at the Stoufl'ville Arena, plays the Markham Waxers in a pair of weekend exhibi- tion games. The teams meet Friday at Angus Glen arena in Markham and Saturday in Stoufl‘ville. Both are 7:30 pm. starts. “I was all over the map," he said with a laugh. Gomes back in Spiritland after Quebec adventure Teams are only allowed to carry three 20- SPORTS Stouffville Suanribune “I wanted to make a jump (to the major junior A ranks). It was a good opportunity at that time. I don't regret the decision at all. I had a great time (in the QMIHL),” he said. year-old players. The Rocket had their minds made up as to which three they wanted to retain. Gomes was the odd man out of their plans. That turned out to be good news for the Spirit, who retained his tier two IuniorA play- ing rights. Despite leaving the Rocket, Games said his time in the QMIHL was a great learning experience. In comparing the QMIHL with the Pro- vincial Jr. A Hockey league, Gomes noted there were adjustments he had to make. The biggest difference, he cited, was in the pace of the game along with the personal prepara- tion required. “The speed of the game in Quebec is a lot quicker and you’ve got to be in top physical shape to play because you're playing almost every day," he said. D Go to stouffvillespirit.com for more information including the preâ€"season schedule. “I look at it as a challenge. I like to help the younger guys out, Whatever needs to be done I'll do it,” he said. Being three years older since his first tour of duty with the Spirit, Games is now consid- ered one of the veteran players. He intends to pass on his wisdom to the younger players. In no way does he feel any added pressure exerted on him to carry the team on his shoulders. With one more season of junior A playing eligibility, Gomes hopes to make the most of it and continue his pmglession up the hockey ladder. Mark loslin, Spirit general manager, more than welcomed Gomes return to the club's roster. Especially in guiding the younger players. “We’re definitely looking for big things from him,” he said. “We'll be looking for lead- ership from him and his on-ice lay. He will definitely bring experience to e younger The Spirit opens the 2008-09 regular sea- son Sept. 11 at Stoufiviile Arena against the Newmarket Hurricanes. “I would like to go pro after this season. If not I’ll go to school in Canada,” he said. STAFF PHOTO/SJOERD WITTEVEEN â€" Mike Hayakawa