Former Flyers hockey player Johnston dies

George “Wingy” Johnston, who helped launch the first of hundreds of hockey wins in the old Spokane Coliseum, died Thursday in Spokane at age 85.

Johnston made sure the Coliseum’s first night of hockey in December 1954 was a success. His game-winning goal midway through the third period capped a rally that saw the Spokane Flyers post a 5-4 victory over the Trail Smoke Eaters.

” ‘Wingy’ was well respected by the players, even though they never saw him play,” said Dan McDougald, who came to Spokane in 1953, the same year Johnston joined the Flyers.

Johnston was born, July 30, 1920, in St. Charles, Manitoba. He broke into professional hockey in 1940 with the Providence Reds of the American Hockey League.

Johnston also played in Kansas City, Cleveland, New Haven and Tacoma before returning to senior amateur hockey in Spokane where he was the player-coach.

His most productive professional season came in 1949-50 with the Tacoma Rockets, when he teamed on a line with Ronnie Reed and Melvin Rowe. Johnston had 46 goals and 90 points that year.

Johnston played two seasons in Spokane, scoring 35 goals and 74 points in the 1953-54 campaign. Then his interests turned to raising a family, watching hockey and playing golf.

Johnston’s wife, Robbie, died in April 2001. He is survived by his daughter and his son.

Services are tentatively scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Hennessey-Smith.