Kolby Johnson arrived in Dauphin not too long ago. He was acquired in a trade with the La Ronge Ice Wolves back on November 29. He made his Dauphin Kings debut the next night against the Virden Oil Capitals at Credit Union Place.
Before coming to Dauphin, Kolby has been very well travelled. Johnson began his junior career in the 2013-14 season where he played two games with the Prince George Cougars.
The next season, Kolby played 32 games with the SJHL's Kindersley Klippers before playing 45 more games with the Cougars. He then went to Prince Albert to play for the Raiders and also spent some time in the QMJHL with the Sherbrooke Phoenix. After playing several games for the Ice Wolves, Kolby was Dauphin bound. Since coming to town, Kolby has made a very good impression not only on the ice but off the ice as well.
If you ever get the chance to meet the 20-year-old, he's always ready for a good chat.
"I've been enjoying things here in Dauphin a lot," said Johnson. "It's been a lot of fun so far."
Johnson has now played three games in the MJHL. He hasn't registered a point, but he has been close with several good chances.
"Playing in this league was definitely a bit of an adjustment," said Johnson. "I was playing with the same players for the start of the year, so it was a little bit of a challenge to change that up. I think our line (Arnold and Miller) are starting to click and produce some pretty great chances. We're just snake bitten right now. As long as we keep staying positive, I believe we're going to do some pretty good things out there."
"I'm a hard skilled kind of guy, I like to play like a Tom Wilson or Wayne Simmonds and that type of player, but I also like to have an edge like Ryan Reaves," he added. "I like to make the safe plays out there, but I also like from time to time trying to make those high risk, high reward type of plays."
Coming to Dauphin was definitely a move that gives Kolby a much better chance of winning. The Ice Wolves have now lost 14 games in a row and they're at the bottom of the SJHL standings. The Kings meanwhile are 4-0-2 in their last six games. Kolby has only been around for half of those contests, but none the less, he's obviously enjoying being on a team that is winning.
"In La Ronge, we were winning games at the start of the season but then we lost some key guys, and then some guys left and it just sort of went downhill," added Johnson. "Being here in Dauphin, I couldn't be any more thankful being a part of a group that can win games every night out. We're not just trying to make the playoffs, we're trying to lock down a top spot and that's really exciting."
Get To Know Kolby:
Besides hockey, what's been the best part about Dauphin so far? My billet family has a hot tub, so that's pretty awesome. I've also been to the movie theatre and it's pretty awesome there.
What’s your favourite movie? Oh man, that's a pretty loaded question. I'm a big fan of the Lord of the Rings series. I also love the Book of Eli and the Star Wars series. I watch a lot of movies.
Best sports movie? Coach Carter is pretty great and Concussion. Both are great.
You're a fighter; does a movie like concussion scare you a little bit? I worry about it a little. But, I think it's just trying to be smart about it. I know how important my brain is.
Kolby and the Kings return to the ice tomorrow night. They welcome the Waywayseecappo Wolverines to Credit Union Place.
You can hear the full interview with him during the Dauphin Kings Power Play show tomorrow afternoon after the 4:00 p.m. news, weather, and sports.
Photo Credit - Dauphin Kings/Pederson Photographic.