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Whikadoodle · 05-20-2024, 05:26 PM

BREAKING: JOHNNY FOURSTAR SIGNS NEW CONTRACT WITH THE WINNIPEG AURORA, 15m/3y

In what some have called the first splash of the Season 77 offseason, the Winnipeg Aurora have agreed to terms with up-and-coming forward Johnny FourStar. FourStar, a first-round pick in season 71 for the Winnipeg Aurora, was called up three seasons ago after a lengthy juniors career with the Vancouver Whalers. Johnny FourStar was disappointed in a series of runs on a strong Whalers team that did not end up with his namesake FourStar Cup.

"Those losses were brutal," recalled Johnny when we spoke with him in Season 74. "We had a great team of players, we had built chemistry over multiple seasons. I wanted nothing more than to win that trophy. But it's a tough league full of great players, and sadly we just couldn't get it done."

Rumors abounded that Johnny FourStar would retire after missing out on the FourStar Cup. However, at the behest of his agent and Winnipeg management, Johnny FourStar has made a name for himself as a dependable bottom six forward. After a 38 point campaign in his rookie year and a 42 point sophomore effort, Johnny FourStar increased his goal production to reach 49 points this past regular season. This coincided with increased on-ice time.

"I've been very lucky to be on a team with so many great players. There are hall of famers all through the locker room," Johnny said in media availability earlier today. "I have learned a lot in my short time in this league, and I am fortunate to have been given increased responsibility over the seasons. As some of my teammates begin to hang up the skates, I am ready to take the next step forward and be a stalwart for this team for years to come."

While Johnny's on-ice development is primarily demonstrated by his work in the offensive zone, Johnny has shown steady improvement in his defense and skating. And, he has not been afraid to throw his body around, accumulating 328 hits over the past three regular seasons.

"It's a dimension to my game that I never want to lose," Johnny told Regina sportswriter and longtime SHL player advocate Dick Shivers. "I have a job out there to protect my teammates, and I want players to think twice when I'm on the ice. I'll do whatever it takes to help my team win."

Johnny FourStar is not all talk. One of the biggest improvements we saw from Johnny FourStar this season was his willingness to block shots. Johnny FourStar blocked 58 shots this regular season, compared to just 26 the season prior.

"I just get amped up when Coach puts me on the powerplay," said Johnny after practice earlier this season. "That energy translates to other aspects of my game, and I want more possessions, more opportunities to shoot the puck."

Johnny FourStar took many opportunities to find the twine this season. Johnny's shooting percentage was above 12% this season on 126 shots, resulting in 16 goals. But there are aspects of Johnny's game that he still thinks he can improve.

"I need to be better defensively. I have to be stronger on the puck," Johnny told us during media availability this morning. "I am reaching the point in my career where I am no longer the rookie on the squad. I have to make winning plays, and I have to prepare my body for the rigors of a full SHL season. I have to be ready to take the lead when called upon."

Johnny FourStar still looks like the player he was in Juniors. Not that he was a bad athlete, but you can tell he has focused on the mental aspects of his game more than the physical aspects. Johnny has been in the weight room this entire offseason, working on his acceleration and agility.

"Bag skates, working with our Staff, it's been all year," said Johnny. "I knew that I didn't have a contract going into this next season, and I wanted to be sure I put myself in the best position to play winning hockey and provide for my family."

Many may think that re-signing Johnny FourStar was a big move for Winnipeg, but SHL insiders have been questioning whether Johnny would take the ice as a member of the Aurora again after the team's exit in the Conference Championship this postseason.

"He's an interesting piece," said sportswriter Lefty Hand before news of this signing broke. "He doesn't score nearly as much as other players his age, and it's unclear where he fits in Winnipeg's future plans. As Winnipeg's core begins to age out and retire, I'm not sure whether they see Johnny as an integral, culture piece, or if they will be willing to ship him out or let him walk so they can focus on a re-tool or a full-blown rebuild. What I am sure is that Johnny FourStar is not a franchise piece for any team in this league, and I don't know what the possible return on him would be."

As the recent news has shown, Lefty is obviously not a SHL GM. With Winnipeg signing FourStar for three years, he joins a stable of young talent including defenseman Juan Tymer and forward Langston Hardison-Laurent, whom which Johnny has expressed great interest in playing with on-ice.

"Langston sees the game similar to how I see it," Johnny said during the postseason this year. "He finds the open areas of the ice and really understands how the offense flows. I think he's a great teammate and I'm looking forward to his development in the future."

Johnny FourStar disappointed many in Winnipeg's early exit in the Season 75 postseason, but he followed up that effort with an impressive 12 points in 15 games for Winnipeg's deep Season 76 run.

"I'm glad I was able to contribute," said Johnny after the Game 5 loss that ended Winnipeg's season. "Of course, that is greatly outweighed by a lot of disappointment. Many weren't expecting us to make it this far, sure, but all of us in that room believed we could win it all. I'm sorry to let the Winnipeg faithful down, and hope I get the chance to do it again."

Johnny FourStar has gotten that chance now. Winnipeg and Johnny FourStar recently announced a 3 year, 15 million extension that keeps Johnny in Winnipeg until Season 79. Johnny FourStar's agent, Niklas Wikstrom, had this to say about the extension:

"I couldn't be more excited to get this deal done," Wikstrom said to reporters on a conference call earlier today. "Season 79 will mark my 60th season either playing or representing players in the SHL and its affiliate leagues. Johnny FourStar is a phenomenal player, one of his draft class's top earners, and a great piece for the Aurora. I wish him and the team all the success in the world as they continue to write hockey history in Manitoba."

Niklas Wikstrom has represented many different players throughout his tenure in the league. Chippy Chiclets, a stay at home defenseman, was a mainstay for the Edmonton Blizzard during the S40s. Ricky Spanish and Top Cheddar, both forwards, were a splashy juniors players whodidn't quite pan out in the SHL. Other players Niklas Wikstrom has represented include Gangly Arms, a goalie prospect. Niklas Wikstrom himself was a phenomenal SHL player, part of the team who brought the first Challenge Cup to the New England Wolfpack in Season 23, and the SHL's Ron Mexico award winner for Most Valuable Player in Season 28.

Internationally, Johnny FourStar has played for Team Sweden at both the IIHF and WJC levels. Johnny FourStar won a Silver Medal and the Alex Andani Award for Top WJC Rookie in Season 70. Johnny FourStar won IIHF Gold in Season 75.

Johnny FourStar is excited for the future and determined to continue building his skills as a SHL Super star. With this contract extension, Winnipeg has locked up a key piece for their future. We look forward with eager anticipation for what the Winnipeg Aurora can accomplish with the young and hip up and coming body throwing puck scoring left winger from Sweden, Mr. Johnny Four Star.

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