This story was published in the Fall 2022 edition of Total Sports Quinte magazine
Story by Jeff Gard/Total Sports Quinte
Having been involved in hockey for the past 45 years, John Johnson isn’t about to shy away from a challenge.
That’s why he took on the roles of head coach and general manager with the Campbellford Rebels.
“I just love hockey and love being part of it,” said Johnson, who comes from the North Kawartha Knights where he served as GM last season.
“There’s a lot of work to do here – a ton of work – more than any team I’ve ever seen, but we’re working at it and going to make it worthwhile.” Johnson noted he’s known Rebels president Larry Patton for a long time and is eager to build a winning team in Campbellford.
“We’ve got some good returning players and we’ve got some new young players coming on board and we’re excited to get started,” Johnson remarked. “They’ve had a couple struggles the last few years. We’re trying to turn that around and the ownership wants a winning team. That’s why I’m here, with the other guys, to try and do that.”
Returning players this season include forwards Aiden Treverton, who is the club’s new captain, Josh Sainthill, Colby Turcotte, Brock Kelsh, Charles Boucher and defencemen Dennis Fisher and Owen Findlay. “Whether it’s minor hockey, community affairs or the (Rebels) hockey team, they all have to be together,” Johnson said. “We’re not going to turn a team that won a half a dozen games last year into a first-place team. It’s going to take some time and the ownership has given me three to five years to do that.”
New to the Rebels roster include forwards Ben Hansen, Owen Brocanier, Keegan Anderson, defencemen Carden Guerin, Nolan Drumm and Brennen Neild and goaltenders Ethan Koren and Noah Barker.
“They’re going to be a hard-checking, hardworking team,” Johnson said. “Right now we don’t have three or four top-end goal scorers so we’ve got to play tough in our own end, play smart and I like guys that finish their checks and the guys to me that win games are the guys in the corners that do the work along the boards.”
Johnson expects the Rebels to be competitive within the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s Tod Division.
“If we don’t put a good product on the ice, you can’t expect people to come watch it and they can’t lose everything but one or two games a year and expect people to keep coming,” he said. “That’s what it’s there for – entertainment for the local people.”
REBELS 2022-23 HOME GAMES
Saturday, Oct. 15: Picton at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 22: Napanee at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 29: Amherstview at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 5: Amherstview at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 12: Napanee at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 13: Picton at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 19: Port Hope at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 20: Port Hope at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 26: Frankford at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 29: Port Hope at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 3: Frankford at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 9: Port Hope at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 16: Frankford at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 20: Napanee at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 10: Napanee at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 13: Frankford at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 27: Picton at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 4: Amherstview at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 10: Port Hope at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 19: Picton at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 25: Amherstview at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.