Although he would have liked to be playing Junior A hockey this past season, Dylan Johner had a unique experience as a member of the Junior B Saskatoon Royals.
Johner joined the Royals, members of the Prairie Junior Hockey League, after Christmas. The team would go on to win the PJHL championship and represent Saskatchewan at the Keystone Cup, which is the Western Canadian championship for Junior B.
The tournament was held in St. Malo, Man., April 17-21.
"It was something I've never really been a part of before. it was just kind of cool to see what other provinces are like in Junior B hockey and getting an understanding of how they play the game compared to us. It was a really good time and I got to play to some really good hockey," said Johner, 19.
The Royals went 3-1-1 at the Keystone Cup, good enough to put them in the final against the Richmond (B.C.) Sockeyes. Richmond won the final 5-2.
"They were a really strong team. They had a few younger guys that are probably going to go somewhere in hockey later," said Johner.
"I think we outplayed them in the first period, but it was tough to keep up with them. They moved the puck so well and if you made a mistake, it was in your net.
"They scored once (in the second period) and then we took a 10 minute downward spiral, and it wasn't really the greatest 10 minutes. If we would've been able to put the puck in the net, we would've had a chance."
Indeed, the second period was the turning point, as the Sockeyes scored three goals and outshot the Royals 24-4 to break open a scoreless game.
Johner scored two goals in five games in the tournament.
To get to the Keystone Cup, the Royals took care of the Prairie Storm in five games in the league final.
The Royals won 7-6 at home in Game 5, with Johner scoring twice, including the tying goal on a power play in the third period.
"It was pretty cool," he said of scoring twice in the deciding game.
"There were a lot of times in that game when we were down by two goals and weren't sure we'd be able to take it."
Johner scored nine goals and had 22 points in 13 regular season games with the Royals this year. He added six goals and 13 points in 13 playoff games.
He is planning to return to the team next year while continuing to attend university in Saskatoon.
"They were the closest team I've ever been a part of, probably one of the most fun teams I've played on in my life," Johner said.
