In a press conference at the Moda Center, Portland Winterhawks owner Bill Gallacher and President Doug Piper announced the replacement for recently terminated head coach and general manager Jamie Kompon. To very little surprise of those present, that replacement will be Kompon’s predecessor Mike Johnston.
After he had been let go from his head coach position in the NHL, Johnston had already moved back to Washington and was immediately courted by several organizations. “I was looking at all options,” he said, “but I was taking my time. I wasn’t actively looking for something for at least 4 or 5 months.” The decision to step back down to Junior League hockey had a lot to do with Johnston’s desire to remain a head coach, rather than signing up as an assistant at a different NHL location. “In the last seven years, being a head coach, you get to work with your staff at all level, and here I get more administrative responsibilities.”
There were very few details regarding the decision from Piper and Gallacher, but there was enthusiasm. When asked if there was a multiple-season contract for Johnston’s return, Gallacher did not give specifics. “It’s a serious commitment. You know, respectful of a lack of draft choices, we’ve always put together a pretty good team. This hire today is really going to help us maintain that.”
Gallacher was referring to the sanctions brought down on the Winterhawks by The CHL in 2012, which included a suspension for Johnston for what were called “improper player benefits” as well as recruitment violations. The sanction’s consequences included a ban from the first round of the Bantam Draft through 2017, severely limiting the team’s ability to replenish talent.
When asked what the priorities for Johnston’s new/old regime are, the coach stated that as soon as tomorrow he would begin looking at talent and staff, with a focus on younger players who can be initiated into the Winterhawks style of practice and play.
Gallacher also confirmed rumors that the role Johnston was hired for would not be identical to his previous tenor. “His role is expanding,” he said. Again, no details were given, but the message appeared to be an emphasis on administration. With a severely limited budget for scouting, Johnston and Kompon were both known to attend Bantam-level games while on the road with the Hawks throughout Canada, so it is possible that his responsibilities might be focused on a guerrilla-style scouting endeavor.
Johnston was responsible for a few of the greatest Winterhawks seasons in franchise history. He had amazing players on the roster, but his leadership often tightened the screws on their unpolished skills and behavior. Since his departure, the team has been in a perpetual state of construction and detours that have dropped them from the uncontested heavyweight of the US Division into the bottom wildcard slot. The decision to bring him back is quite a no-brainer according to many Winterhawks fans.
I personally have a complicated perspective on Johnston. According to the rules of his station, yes, I believe he was out of line with his recruitment methods but I also feel the league’s punishment was somewhere to the far right of the Spanish Inquisition in relation to the crime. Johnston did very well in Portland previously, but I will reserve judgement until I see a roster for the 2016-17 season. After all, it will be missing Adin Hill at goalie as well as defenseman Caleb Jones, who just recently signed with the Edmonton Oilers. Can Johnston recreate the magic he commanded in 2012 with untested younger players? Probably not. The hire is a good fit, but I don’t buy that it will prevent another “rebuilding year.”
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