Ross Johnston Bio
Ross Johnston is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 232 pounds, he is known for his physical presence and willingness to drop the gloves. He previously spent several seasons with the New York Islanders organization. Over the course of his career, Johnston has built a reputation as a hard-working bottom-six forward who plays a heavy, blue-collar style.
Early Life and Background
Ross Johnston was born on February 18, 1994, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. He grew up in the small rural community of Suffolk, located on the same island province. The laid-back Atlantic Canada setting, with its cold winters and tight-knit communities, offered a familiar environment for a young hockey player to learn the game.
Johnston was raised on his family’s beef farm in Suffolk. This farm upbringing helped shape his strong work ethic and physical style of play. He grew up with one older brother, Will, and a sister, Katherine, and the demanding chores on the farm gave him a toughness that translated naturally to the ice rink.
Path to Hockey
Johnston began his competitive hockey journey in the Maritime Junior Hockey League with the Summerside Western Capitals. That early junior experience allowed him to develop his sizable frame and introduce a physical edge to his game. His performances at that level earned him a chance to move up to one of Canada’s top development leagues.
He then graduated to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where he played three seasons with the Moncton Wildcats, the Victoriaville Tigres, and the Charlottetown Islanders. Johnston went undrafted by NHL teams, but his steady progress through the QMJHL kept his professional hopes alive.
Ross Johnston Career
Early Career (2014–2016)
As a free agent following his junior career, Johnston attended the New York Islanders’ training camp in 2014. During that camp, he suffered a broken jaw in a fight, an injury that forced him to miss two months of his final season with the Charlottetown Islanders. Despite the setback, he continued to work toward an NHL opportunity.
On March 31, 2015, Johnston signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the New York Islanders. He made his NHL debut on April 10, 2016, after spending most of his first professional season with the Islanders’ AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and a stint with the ECHL’s Missouri Mavericks.
New York Islanders Breakthrough (2016–2018)
During the 2016–17 season, Johnston returned to the AHL with the Sound Tigers and continued to develop his game. He started the 2017–18 season in the AHL before receiving his next NHL opportunity.
Johnston was recalled to the Islanders on January 19, 2018, replacing the injured Casey Cizikas. Just two days later, on January 21, he recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a goal by Brock Nelson in a 7–3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Four days after that, on January 25, he scored his first NHL goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in a 2–1 Islanders victory. He finished the 2017–18 season appearing in 24 games with three goals and six points.
New York Islanders Era (2018–2023)
On July 9, 2018, Johnston agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Islanders as a restricted free agent. He settled into a regular role as a physical, energy-providing forward over the next several seasons.
He signed another four-year contract extension with the Islanders on October 26, 2021, cementing his place in the organization. Throughout this stretch, he was valued for his size, his penalty-killing ability, and his willingness to defend teammates. Johnston played a supporting role as the Islanders enjoyed strong regular-season runs and deep playoff pushes during this period.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2023–Present)
Johnston made the Islanders’ 2023–24 season opening roster on October 9, 2023. One day later, on October 10, he was placed on waivers and claimed by the Anaheim Ducks, marking a fresh start on the West Coast.
He made his Anaheim debut on opening night, October 14, against the Vegas Golden Knights. Since then, Johnston has continued to bring his heavy, physical style of play to a young Ducks lineup working through a rebuilding phase.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although the term driving style is more common in racing, in hockey terms Johnston’s strengths lie in his imposing 6-foot-5 frame and his willingness to play a heavy, physical brand of hockey. He excels at using his size to win board battles, deliver punishing hits, and serve as an enforcer when the situation calls for it. His role typically centers on penalty killing, protecting skilled teammates, and providing energy in the bottom six.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Johnston’s career highlights are his NHL debut on April 10, 2016, his first NHL point on January 21, 2018, against the Chicago Blackhawks, and his first NHL goal on January 25, 2018, against the Vegas Golden Knights. Being claimed by the Anaheim Ducks in October 2023 and debuting for them on opening night that same month also stand out as meaningful milestones in his journey as a journeyman undrafted forward.
Ross Johnston Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ross Johnston comes from a close-knit family on Prince Edward Island. He was raised alongside an older brother, Will, and a sister, Katherine. While his family is not connected to professional hockey lineage, his upbringing on the family’s beef farm in Suffolk clearly shaped his blue-collar approach to the game.
Personal Life
Johnston continues to maintain strong ties to his home province of Prince Edward Island. The values of hard work and toughness learned on the family farm remain central to how he approaches his career and life as a professional athlete.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Ross Johnston remains a member of the Anaheim Ducks as the franchise continues its rebuild with one of the youngest rosters in the NHL. His experience as an undrafted, bottom-six forward who has played through deep playoff pushes with the Islanders makes him a useful veteran presence in the locker room.
While younger players are expected to carry much of the offensive load in Anaheim, Johnston’s role on the penalty kill, in the physical game, and as a mentor to prospects remains a steady part of the team’s nightly plan. His heavy style continues to suit the Ducks’ identity as a hard-working, up-and-coming group.
If he stays healthy and continues to perform in his familiar role, Johnston should provide Anaheim with reliable defensive-zone minutes, timely physicality, and leadership by example during the 2025 campaign.
