Photo supplied by the Central Canada Hockey League
Junior Hockey and the rural Ontario are connected at the hip, with many storied athletic and management careers getting their start right here in the Ottawa Valley.
The events that sent the Junior A hockey team we now know as the Wolves from Kanata to Renfrew offered an interesting twist for one player who stuck with the team through the relocation.
Charlie Johnson, originally a Kanata native, says the move has been a positive one for himself and the team as Renfrew’s active and sizable fanbase have been incredibly welcoming and that the positivity around the team has translated into an upswing in play as the CCHL team enjoyed a run to the second round of the Bogart Cup playoffs in their first full season in the league.
Charlie believes that the wellbeing of the team and the community are connected: Renfrew’s support of the Wolves allows them to perform on the ice, as well as encourages the team to go into the community to spend time aiding local initiatives and interacting with fans. In turn, he hopes those off-ice contributions to the community will continue to grow the fanbase.
Charlie is determined to stay in hockey, either continuing his playing career or branching into coaching as he continues to gain experience. One thing for certain is that his learning and training now comes through the Ma-Te-Way Activity Centre.
Listen to Charlie Johnson’s full interview with myFM anchor Kasey Egan here: