A people person. That is how Kelsey Johns describes her  22 year old brother, Zak Johns. On the evening of June 4,  Zak passed away, the result of a motorcycle accident two kilometers north of Champion.

Kelsey, and her family, are remembering Zak as an amazing young man, who could make friends anywhere he went. A person who would do anything to help those he cared about, especially his family, whom he loved and cared for immensely. They meant the world to him, and he to them.

Johns was the youngest of three children, witty and funny, quick to respond with a verbal jab when the need arose. Described as not being a typical hockey guy, he walked to the beat of his own drum. He was his own charismatic unique person, with a unique style to match. He put 100% of his effort and passion into everything he did.   

Johns friend, Dylan Boyd, says that he loved his motorcycle, and is grateful that the two of them shared that.

"I was privileged to be able to go riding with him a lot, we would ride to Turner Valley and then come back," Boyd says.

One of Johns Jr. B Bisons Coaches, Blake Wildeman agrees. "His passion and love for the game is something that 

Zac Johns with young hockey fanshowed and spilled over to his teammates."

Boyd remembers when they worked together, the two of them would often ride their motorcycles out to the work site, and he believed that Johns knowing he was riding his bike home, got him through the day. Johns and Boyd grew up playing hockey together and were co-captains for the Okotoks Bisons during the 2014-2015 season. Boyd says that Johns shined as a leader on the ice and made those around him better athletes and people.

Wildeman says that Johns was always full of life. "He would always be walking around, joking around smiling, the life of the party and a pleasure to be around."

In the hockey world he was known as one of those guys you loved to have on your team, but hated to play against. Wildeman says the word that best described Johns on the ice was "greasy".

"When he went into the corners with an opposing player and they thought they had that battle won, he always found a way to battle back. He was a player that could throw the opposing team off their game, and he had incredible skill and vision as well".

In Johns hockey career he captained his Midget AA team to a Provincial Championship, then as a rookie in Jr.  he helped his team to their only Provincial title. Johns played four years with the Okotoks Bisons, and the Bisons Red and Blue colours ran in his veins, winning two Heritage League Championships during his time with the team.

Johns helped Wildeman out for a time at Skillz Skating and Shooting Center, running some training sessions as a favour to Wildeman. He clicked with the kids that he trained and ended up working there part time while going to school.   

"We still have kids asking about him at Skillz. His passing is felt in Okotoks and beyond. The people he worked with at Skillz and the kids he trained are pretty shaken up. Zak was a great employee, and an even greater person. " Wildeman says.

He will be missed by everyone.

The full interviews with Blake and Dylan are below: 

Dylan Boyd:

Blake Wildeman:

 

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