'It's a big step': Mike Johnston reflects on coaching career with Portland Winterhawks

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- “It’s a big step because I’ve coached for over 35 years now,” said now former Portland Winterhawks head coach Mike Johnston.

To be exact, Johnston began coaching at the college level in Canada in 1982. Forty-two years later, he’s ready to take it off of his plate.

The Winterhawks announced on Monday that Johnston would no longer coach but would continue as general manager and add in president duties to his role in the organization.

“The day-to-day focus of coaching was taking a lot of my time. I really felt that it was important to take a step back, focus on the overall organization, focus on the players, on where the team is going, and really build from above,” said Johnston.

Now Johnston has more time to focus on the team’s future. That doesn’t mean that there won’t be things he misses about his past life on the ice.

“I love competition. That’s the big thing for me. I really love being in the game, I love big moments like that. I also really like the contact with the players. Our kids are exciting. They come in at 16 and leave at 20. You see them mature over those years. It’s going to be, for me, a different perspective as I step back,” said Johnston.

He certainly isn’t worried about who takes over as he takes a step back though.

Kyle Gustafson has been on Johnston’s staff every one of his years in Portland except for the 2021-2022 season.

“As I went along, over the last few years, I knew Kyle, he was ready to coach. He was ready to be a head coach. He’s got a take-charge personality. He’s got a great skill set. I think he relates to the players really well. There’s going to be no issue in him moving forward. He’s going to be an excellent coach. I think he knows our culture, he knows the way we do things, so the transition will be pretty smooth,” said Johnston.