Sometimes itB次元官网网址檚 not about the accomplishment but the journey that gets you there.
Such is the case for Port MoodyB次元官网网址檚 Lucas Johansen.
A first-round pick (28th overall) of the Washington Capitals in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, JohansenB次元官网网址檚 professional career has been derailed by injuries which caused him to miss almost two seasons along with parts of others.
So when JohansenB次元官网网址檚 Hershey Bears won the American Hockey League championship last Wednesday in Palm Springs by defeating the Coachella Valley Firebirds 3-2 in overtime of game seven, you knew that it had to mean a lot more to Johansen and his family, which includes his dad Randall, mom Rosalind and older brother Ryan B次元官网网址� who has 11 NHL seasons to his credit.
Randall and Rosalind flew to Pennsylvania for games three, four and five, then hopped onto a charter provided by the Bears for family and friends to California for the games six and seven. Ryan was in Scottsdale for former teammate Luke KuninB次元官网网址檚 bachelor party and then decided to rent a car and drive to Palm Springs to see the final two games.
They were all on hand for to see Michael Vecchione score off a rebound at 16:19 of overtime to give the Bears the championship after rallying from a 2-0 deficit in game seven.
B次元官网网址淭o see that that goal go in - I went pretty blank after that - it was it was just really special,B次元官网网址� says Lucas.
While Lucas was joining the party on the ice, Ryan was losing it in the stands.
B次元官网网址淭he funny thing is my wife gets really emotional in games but we were more in control. With Ryan, it was almost like he was out there on the ice with him,B次元官网网址� said Randall, whose passion for photography resulted in over 4,300 photos of the last five games. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e sitting among the Firebird fans and when we scored the arena went silent. RyanB次元官网网址檚 so excited he almost knocks me and my camera into the row ahead of us.B次元官网网址�
In fact, Ryan could have been assessed a two-minute minor after the goal.
B次元官网网址淲hen they scored, I just pulled up my arm to celebrate and bam! I hit this woman next to me with my elbow. I still donB次元官网网址檛 know where I hit her but she was really nice about it. SheB次元官网网址檚 like, B次元官网网址渉ey, congratulationsB次元官网网址� after I just smoked her with my elbow and IB次元官网网址檓 like, B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 so sorry. Are you okay?B次元官网网址� And sheB次元官网网址檚 like B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 fine. IB次元官网网址檓 okay,B次元官网网址� recalled Ryan.
For Ryan, watching Lucas play in person was extra special but also left him powerless.
B次元官网网址淚 havenB次元官网网址檛 seen him play live since he was 17 years old. ItB次元官网网址檚 almost been nine years since IB次元官网网址檝e seen him play hockey live. It was like watching a boxing fight. You know, youB次元官网网址檙e flinching, youB次元官网网址檙e dodging punches and all that stuff but it was so cool. ItB次元官网网址檚 so hard to put into words,B次元官网网址� says Ryan.
With 842 NHL games to his credit, along with 67 post-season games, Ryan had to sit through it all rather than being able to determine his own fate.
B次元官网网址淩yanB次元官网网址檚 been through playoffs in the NHL and in junior. HeB次元官网网址檚 played in the World Juniors, so he knows what the battle is about and what you have to go through in those close games. Now heB次元官网网址檚 there watching and heB次元官网网址檚 pretty much helpless in the stands, but the energy he had was amazing,B次元官网网址� says Randall.
For Lucas, it was the reward for persevering through two lost seasons. Hip and neck injuries basically limited him to 14 games during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. Add the pressure and expectations that come with being a first-round pick and you start to understand what this championship means to him and his family.
ThereB次元官网网址檚 been a lot of adversity but his family has always been there providing support.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 one of those things thatB次元官网网址檚 really hard to put into words. Lucas is more than a brother to me. WeB次元官网网址檙e best friends. IB次元官网网址檝e always tried to help guide him and encourage him and be there for him with all the injuries and then just watching him work to get healthierB次元官网网址B次元官网网址檓 so happy and proud of him,B次元官网网址� noted Ryan.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 had every reason to quit hockey. HeB次元官网网址檚 had some bad luck but we tried to stay positive. What he went through, his perseverance was amazing. Every summer he worked his tail off and he was ready to go. He wouldnB次元官网网址檛 even be upset. It was a real special feeling in the end with how all of this worked out,B次元官网网址� said Randall.
As for Lucas, winning the Calder Cup is something that he will never forget.
B次元官网网址淭his game is such a grind and you never know when it can be taken away from you. It was definitely a couple long years there for me but you know, we never lost sight of the prize. The reason you play the game is to win and IB次元官网网址檓 no different. I just felt really good to get back on track after the last couple years and to win a championship. ItB次元官网网址檚 just something that you always dreamed of and IB次元官网网址檓 just pumped about it,B次元官网网址� said Lucas, who was also part of the Kelowna Rockets WHL championship team in 2015.
As for the support of his family, Lucas canB次元官网网址檛 say enough.
B次元官网网址淎ll of them have been amazing but especially Ryan in particular. HeB次元官网网址檚 been so supportive. He obviously gets it. He knows how hard it is to win. The night before game seven we went to dinner as a family. He kept saying, B次元官网网址榊ou got to do it. You have to win. YouB次元官网网址檒l have a brotherhood that no one can ever take away from you guys. Get it done.B次元官网网址� He was so fired up,B次元官网网址� noted Lucas.
B次元官网网址淭hen thereB次元官网网址檚 my mom and dad who have obviously been our number one supporters our entire career, so when they came on the ice after the game you could just see the joy on everyoneB次元官网网址檚 face. I remember just giving them a hug and that was a moment that weB次元官网网址檒l definitely cherish forever because it was pretty special.B次元官网网址�
And as if Lucas winning an AHL championship wasnB次元官网网址檛 enough to digest, three days later Ryan was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche after eight seasons as a Nashville Predator.
B次元官网网址淪pending all those years in Nashville, it wasnB次元官网网址檛 just about hockey for me. It was really just trying to make a difference. Whether it was shaking a hand, crossing paths with somebody or just doing things in community representing the organization,B次元官网网址� says Ryan, who was traded for Alex Galchenyuk.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 got an extremely special place in my heart. I plan to retire there and hopefully start a family in Nashville down the road, but for now, I have an incredible opportunity with a great team in Colorado. At this point in my career to have a chance for that brass ring, itB次元官网网址檚 pretty darn exciting. IB次元官网网址檓 looking forward to show my new teammates and the organization that I can help get us back there.B次元官网网址�
OVERTIME: The Ryan and Lucas Johansen Celebrity Golf Classic benefitting The Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation at the Westwood Plateau Golf Course on Wednesday, July 12 and is sold out. However, there are still tickets available for B次元官网网址淎 Night from NashvilleB次元官网网址� event with songwriters Eric Van Houten and Heath Warren that takes place on Sunday, July 9th at the Port Moody Inlet Theatre. Tickets can be .
Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob B次元官网网址渢he MojB次元官网网址� Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media. And check out his weekly podcast every Monday at Today in B.C. or your local Black Press Media website.
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