Pain part of the game for Cougars forward
Jan. 15, 2010 - Regina Leader-Post
By Ian Hamilton
Dillon Johnstone is majoring in geography and geology at the University of Regina, but he also has developed an expertise in medicine and anatomy.
During his hockey career, the 23-year-old Frobisher product -- a forward with the U of R Cougars men's team -- has suffered an injury to his left eye (2004), a separated right shoulder (2005), a broken left wrist (2007), a concussion (2008), a broken right hand (2008), and a shattered knuckle on his left hand (2009).
Even so, the 6-foot-5, 205-pound winger doesn't consider himself jinxed.
"To be honest, I don't try to read anything into it," Johnstone said Thursday before the Cougars practised at the Sherwood Ice Sports Centre, where they're to play host to the Saskatchewan Huskies on Saturday at 7 p.m.
"To a certain degree, it stems from my style of play. I wouldn't say it's reckless, but I just try to play as hard as I can. When I'm out on the ice, I don't think about it -- which is a good thing."
Cougars head coach Blaine Sautner has been impressed by Johnstone's perseverance over the years.
"It shows me that he loves the game," Sautner said. "Through all the adversity he has faced through his junior career and here, he has had some serious injuries -- but he's the first guy out on the ice shooting pucks when he can.
"He gets hurt because he pays the price. Then he heals up, goes out there and pays the price again."
Johnstone sustained the eye injury Nov. 9, 2004, when he was playing for the WHL's Tri-City Americans in a game against the host Regina Pats. An accidental high stick fractured his left orbital bone and caused two tears in his retina, damage which required surgery.
He also has had to deal with a cataract, an astigmatism and scarring of the macula. The incident has robbed him of some of his peripheral vision.
He missed the remainder of the '04-05 WHL season and then, in his first game back with the Americans in the '05-06 campaign, suffered a separated right shoulder. The following day, he was released by the Americans.
"That was the one time I really felt let down," said Johnstone, referring not to the injury but to being released. "Since then, I've learned how to deal with everything. It makes me stronger and gives me more character."
Johnstone stayed reasonably healthy through the rest of the '05-06 season with the SJHL's Estevan Bruins and the '06-07 campaign with the WHL's Chilliwack Bruins. Then he joined the Cougars.
Early in the '07-08 Canada West season, Johnstone broke his left wrist and two bones in his left hand when he was hit from behind into the boards. He missed eight games, but recovered in time to play in the post-season.
Four games into the '08-09 season, he sustained a concussion. After returning, he broke a bone in his right hand. Those injuries cost him 12 games.
Five games into this season, Johnstone again broke his left hand when he blocked a shot. After missing nine games, he returned for last weekend's series against the UBC Thunderbirds.
For Johnstone, the concussion was the worst of the lot.
"I had no idea how to deal with it," he said. "It was really hard. I didn't know what to do day to day, week to week. At least with a broken bone, you know it'll heal with time. You can gauge it. With a concussion, you really don't know."
But that injury -- like all of the others -- failed to push him over the edge.
"I don't think there was ever a point where I could have quit," said Johnstone, who has two goals and three assists in seven games this season. "I've always felt that there was something more, that I haven't done everything I can.
"If I was to up and quit, I would always question myself -- and I don't like what-ifs. I enjoy what I get out of the game. I really like coming to the rink and being in the room with the guys.
"I still want something more out of hockey."