Many shocked that former Petes player is homeless

Matt Johnson’s Peterborough friends and teammates are reeling from the news he is now homeless in California.

TSN investigative reporter Rick Westhead published a report Wednesday at TSN.ca revealing the impact years of fulfilling an enforcer’s role in hockey has had on Johnson’s physical and mental well being.

The report indicates Johnson is estranged from his parents Lee and Brenda, of Pelham, Ont., has battled substance abuse stemming from an addiction to pain killers, battles the effects of concussions and is currently missing.

Johnson’s financial advisor from his NHL days, Scott Bye, went to Santa Monica, Ca., where Johnson was reported to be living on a beach, trying to find him but was unsuccessful.

Westhead reports that Johnson returned to his family farm after his career ended in 2004-05. His behaviour was so erratic it eventually led to his parents forcing him out. Their relationship deteriorated to the point they’ve lost contact. Brenda Johnson blames the game and the steady diet of pain killers prescribed to Johnson by numerous sources as the cause of his condition.

While playing for the Petes from 1992 to 94, two full seasons and part of a third, Johnson billeted with John and Mary Ellen Oke and their family which included current Petes GM Mike Oke, who was attending Durham College at the time.

John Oke developed a close relationship with Johnson that extended well beyond his days in Peterborough. He visited him in Los Angels and Atlanta and vacationed with Johnson. While he was a quiet guy, Oke said Matt was fully integrated with the family, was not a guy who kept to himself, hung out with and brought over teammates regularly. There was nothing in his time in Peterborough that raised alarm bells, said Oke.

He learned of Matt’s difficulties about eight years ago from his parents. He’s not heard from Matt since.

“I just said to keep me informed and if anything came up where we could help him out we certainly would because both Mary Ellen and I thought very highly of Matt,” Oke said. “He was part of the family.”

To see the full extent of his difficulties hit Oke hard.

“It’s just sad,” he said.

Jeff Twohey helped bring Johnson to the Petes convincing Dick Todd they lacked size and toughness. Johnson’s presence in the lineup created space and confidence for teammates and was instrumental in their 1993 OHL championship.

“I was almost sick to my stomach with worry,” said Twohey, of Westhead’s first call two months ago informing him of Johnson’s plight. “I knew there were issues. I didn’t know it was to that extent. I had asked a lot of people I’ve run into from L.A. where Matty was at and I never really got a straight answer. Now I know why, because not many of them knew either.”

Twohey says there was a lot of ignorance about the longterm effects of fighting and concussions.

“It’s changed my whole outlook,” Twohey said. “I am not a proponent of fighting anymore. Obviously, I used to be and we always had that element to our team. The more you learn it’s changed my outlook. I look at it a lot differently now when I see young kids fighting. We brought Matt in for that element. At that time, that was part of the game. We didn’t know the potential long term effects that could have on somebody. Hockey is obviously moving away from fighting and in my mind that’s a good thing.”

Brent Tully played three seasons with Johnson and says he was a popular teammate who assimilated well. Tully has been to the family farm in Pelham and says nothing in his time in Peterborough foreshadowed what was to come.

Tully said he ran into Johnson’s former Los Angeles teammate Jamie Storr at a world junior hockey tournament and that’s when he first learned of Johnson’s issues. In the TSN story, Storr gave Johnson odd jobs at a hockey school realizing he was in a desperate situation. Johnson twice worked for him for a couple of months and then disappeared.

“I was very sad,” Tully said. “You don’t like to see that happen to anybody. It’s amazing what the game is when it comes to family. Even though you haven’t talked to a guy in years you still feel like you really know him. It’s tough to read and tough to hear.”

Tully says there are too many of these stories.

“Enough is enough,” Tully said. “The NHL and other leagues and associations need to really step up here and find a way to support these people.

“The old mentality was that fighting never hurt anyone. We all know better now,” Tully said.

Mike Oke said he knew a little of Johnson’s troubles but not the full extent.

“I’m sad to hear he’s having and has had issues. I hope maybe this story, despite reporting on such a sad set of circumstances, can bring a positive ending ... it’s not even certain Matt wants to be found.”

Oke said the OHL and Petes have initiated programs to reduce fighting, improve concussion awareness and treatment, drug and alcohol awareness and mental health education.

“We’ve recognized where we can provide greater assistance,” Oke said.