Kelowna Rockets defenceman MacKenzie Johnston is taking his third season in the Western Hockey League very seriously. It may have something to do with this being his draft year or he may have a better grasp of the commitment it takes to separate himself from the pack. Whatever it is, the Rockets can only benefit from what the Swift Current, Saskatchewan product plans to bring to the ice this season.
Johnston came into Rockets main camp in tremendous shape, and his physical appearance appears to have translated into a better mindset.
"Whether I have a letter or not, I want to be a guy that the younger guys can look up to and an older guys who you can talk to on and off the ice. I really want to be in a top defensive role. I mean I am not going to be putting up numbers like Tyson Barrie was but I want to be a defensive specialist and play against the first lines on other teams".
Did you start coming into your own in the second half of last season?
"Ya, I finally hit my stride for the first time in a year and a half. Even when I was taking hits I was having fun because I was playing and playing well. Something just clicked. I don't know what it was but I will take it and run with it."
Talk about your physical transformation this summer?
"I worked out in Calgary this summer with Stack Conditioning. I was eight weeks there and two weeks here (Kelowna) working with skating coaches and then I spent a little bit of time at home. I am 195 now, so I am pretty happy with that. I feel a lot stronger too which is the biggest thing. There is a difference putting on weight and actually feeling stronger and I feel that strength so I am pretty happy right now."
1 comment:
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