The Flames drafted Johnny a month before I moved to Taiwan. I remember the photo of him in the anthem line up for Dubuque; thinking: there’s no way that tiny kid will make it.
Followed him through all the BC years as I established a life overseas, built a new career, lived in Cambodia for a year. Watched him exceed expectations at every level. Could he not only play but … produce?
He joined the Flames and I was so proud of him and the team. That goal he scored against Dallas… I have a post about how the Flames NEVER get that goal, but he got it for us.
Just a few weeks before he decided to leave for Columbus, I proposed to my now wife, which I knew meant the end of my time living in Asia. He left for Ohio, and I packed up and emigrated to the US.
Just as I finish the green card process and start my career here, he’s gone. For me, he will forever be linked to these years of my life, avoiding looking at scores during the day so I could watch his games in the evening without knowing what happened.
My heart breaks for his whole family. No one will ever be #13 in Calgary again.
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