Breaking down the Johnston situation

The dust has settled and I’ve finally had time to put some thought into the Justin Johnston debacle.

For those of you who don’t know, the senior defenseman was to be honored prior to Friday’s game against Bowling Green during the team’s Senior Night, which is held annually before MSU’s final home game.

Johnston hadn’t played, or dressed, in any games for the Spartans this season, but still was to be honored in the pregame ceremonies. Johnston had played in 56 games prior to this season, posting a 0-3-3 scoring line.

When Johnston arrived to the rink Friday morning, he saw he wasn’t in the starting lineup. Senior goaltender Bobby Jarosz also was not going to start.

Because Johnston wasn’t listed as a starter, he packed up his locker and quit the team without saying a word to anyone.

Now, on the surface, this seems like a complete smack in the face by MSU head coach Rick Comley. He couldn’t have dressed one less forward to get a senior who has committed the last three years to the team into the starting lineup? Would it have been so hard to give him one or two shifts against the second-to-last place team in the CCHA?

I heard about Johnston quitting the team prior to the puck drop on Friday. And like I said, initially I was shocked with Comley’s decision not to put Johnston into the starting lineup.

But the more I’ve thought about it the past couple days, the more I’ve sided with Comley’s decision.

Friday’s game was an absolute must-win for the Spartans. MSU couldn’t afford to lose any points at home, especially with Saturday being Senior Night in Bowling Green. Plus, MSU traditionally has had trouble playing in Bowling Green on their Senior Night.

And it wasn’t like Comley was completely snubbing Johnston. Johnston still was going to dress for warm-ups and be honored with the other three seniors.

Sure, Friday’s game turned out to be a blowout and Johnston easily could have been put on the ice for a couple shifts. But there was no way for Comley to know that. Hindsight is always 20-20, right?

And let’s be honest, the Spartans had been playing so inconstant lately that you can’t blame Comley for wanting to put his best players on the ice.

With how horribly last season went, you can’t blame Comley for going for the jugular this year. If he posts another marginal season, it’s safe to say his job would be on the hot seat. With the team getting off to such an impressive start, it would look horrible if the team imploded late in the year. With a loss on Friday night, the Spartans could well we on their way to a late-season meltdown.

Now let’s not assume playing Johnston would lead to an MSU loss. But is that a chance Comley could afford to take?

Comley said it best: “There isn’t a coach alive who doesn’t want to play every senior. You just do. But gosh, you play all year (to get to this point). This was the most important game of the year, I think. A loss (Friday), or (Saturday), and we probably have to win the CCHA playoffs to get in (the NCAA Tournament).”

Yes, it’s horrible that Johnston didn’t get an opportunity to play in his final home game of his career. But the best interests of the team have to come first.

The thing that rubs me the wrong way is the letter that was passed around the student section calling out Comley and senior forward Nick Sucharski by name. The letter also accused the players who live in the hockey house of being drunk “every night.”

I’m not accusing Johnston, or his friends or family, of spreading this letter throughout the student section. But this clearly is not the way to handle the situation. Mocking teammates and spreading rumors isn’t the way to get a point across.

It’s childish.

It was a shame this situation had to put a damper on Senior Night for the other three seniors on the team.

And it’s a shame Johnston decided to leave the team on what was supposed to be a special night. But his decision has been made and he’s going to have to live with it. Hopefully 10 years down the road he doesn’t look back and regret it.

Commentary

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sprty

(02/28/10 7:14pm)
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There is no version of this scenario that doesn’t suck for J.J. I wish him well.

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Melvin

(03/01/10 11:14am)
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If a player can come to practice everyday and work hard and sit on the bench for most of the time.I think the coach could have at least dressed him. Reward the kid for all he has put into the program. The article i just read sounds like the coach doesnt care about anything but saving his own tail. The hockey program here at MSU is better than that.
A sad situation that is not good for the program or the school.

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Eye in Team

(03/01/10 5:52pm)
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As with any sport, you earn the right to play. If Johnston couldn’t crack one of the lines as a senior, why not? On one side, I can see the hurt from being snubbed, but as the saying goes, “there is no I in team”. Quitting the team and quitting on your teammates is a selfish act. Goodbye. Time to focus on the CCHA and Frozen Four. Go Green!

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common sense

(03/03/10 2:36pm)
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Melvin,

A technicality isn’t worth flushing away a season of work by an entire team. Name in front, not the one on the back.

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Duh

(03/04/10 1:30pm)
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Seriously? He quit the team because he thought he was going to crack the lineup for the first time all year? This kid was a walk-on, earned some playing time and then took a back seat when better players came in.

Isn’t being on a college team and getting an education enough nowadays? And real classy with the flyers to the student section. Come on.

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Jaron Alfard

(03/06/10 12:30am)
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As someone who is homeschooled, you have no right to talk about the public school 70-646 exam system! It is more than likely the bull your parents fed you that you simply regurgitate to seem far superior. I’m actually surprised 70-686 you’re a Spartan with your arrogance. Go to UM, where there will be students “of your caliber” so you won’t have to associate with us bottomfeeding 83-640 exam public school alum.nteresting idea but what happens when someone graduates college two years earlier than normal? That would make them 20 (give or take a year.) Do you think an employer is going to hire a 20-year-old to make serious decisions? The answer is no.

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