Former Raiders Captain Johnston commits to University of Saskatchewan

Saskatoon, Sask.- Veteran defenceman Eric Johnston has committed to the University of Saskatchewan, the school announced Monday.

The 21-year-old blueliner recently completed his major junior eligibility after four seasons and more than 200 games in the WHL.

Johnston picked up five goals (including two game-winners) and nine assists for 14 points in 47 games in 2024-25 with the Moose Jaw Warriors and Swift Current Broncos.

“It was a no-brainer when (the Huskies) reached out to me,” Johnston told Huskie Athletics. “You look at how deep they’ve gone the past few years, how deep the team is, and it’s close to home, so I think it’s all you can get. They also have a tight team, so joining a group with good chemistry is huge too. I’m looking forward to it.”

The Edmonton Oil Kings originally selected the Regina, Sask. product in the sixth round of the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft.

Johnston played 10 games in Edmonton before making his way to Prince Albert in a mid-season trade.

The 6-foot, 190-pound rearguard played parts of three seasons with the Raiders, earning the captaincy in 2023-24.

Johnston totalled 15 goals and 49 assists for 64 points in 239 regular-season games, in addition to another goal and assist in 10 playoff appearances.

The Huskies won bronze at the 2025 U SPORTS University Cup after defeating Toronto Metropolitan University 4-1 in March, where Johnston’s former Raiders teammate and fellow Regina product Landon Kosior scored the game-winning goal.

Saskatchewan also went 23-5 in the 2024-25 regular season before clinching the program’s 12th conference title in the Canada West Playoffs.