Watch the way Rebecca Johnston skates. Long strides … smooth strides … it’s a seemingly-effortless stride. Where does that come from? Well, the 19-year-old spent hours at the rink, like many young Canadians. But she also toiled in another sport – track and field. Johnston won a bronze medal in the 400-metres at the 2006 Canadian Junior Track and Field Championships. It was running that gave Johnston the ‘inside track’ on improving her skating.

Still, Johnston’s background is in hockey. She is the niece of Mike Johnston, who has a long history as a coach with Canada’s national teams. Mike was an associate coach with Canada’s National Men’s Team at the past two IIHF World Championships, winning gold in 2007. He was also behind the bench at the 1998 Spengler Cup, each IIHF World Championship from 1994-99, two IIHF World Junior Championships (1994 and 1995), the 1998 Winter Olympics and 1996 World Cup.

Rebecca is cutting her own path on Canada’s National Women’s Team. She won two gold medals with the National Women’s Under-22 Team at the Air Canada Cup and was an alternate with the National Women’s Team in 2007. Last year, Rebecca made her debut at the 2008 IIHF World Women’s Championship, playing in all five games as Canada won silver.

AT A GLANCE
Date of birth: September 24, 1989
Favourite minor hockey coach: Dave Laporte
Club team: Cornell University (ECAC)
Did you know: is one of six children; has three brothers and two sisters … despite her success in track and field, lists basketball as her favourite sport other than hockey