Portland, Ore. – The Portland Winterhawks, proud member club of the Western Hockey League, announced today that the team has hired Clayton Johns as the club’s new Head Equipment Manager.

Johns comes to The Rose City with 12 years of experience working in hockey, most recently with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League as their Head Equipment Manager since 2017.  During the 2020-21 season in which the OHL did not play, he served as an Equipment Assistant for the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

Clayton’s journey to become an Equipment Manager started at the age of 12 when he became the stick boy for the OHL’s Toronto St. Michael’s Majors. After two seasons, Clayton moved into a new role as the Assistant Equipment Manager with the St. Michael’s Buzzers of the OJHL. Over the course of four seasons, Clayton progressively learned the detailed work of an Equipment Manager and began sharpening skates at age 16. 

“I’m really excited about the opportunity,” Johns stated. “I’ve worked in the CHL for the last five years and there’s organizations that you consistently hear are top organizations and Portland is at the very top of that list. I’m excited to be coming to Oregon to work with a very professional staff and be a part of the program.”

Prior to his time in Barrie, Johns spent two seasons as an Assistant Equipment Manager for the Oshawa Generals and three years with Carleton University (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) men’s hockey program.

The newest member of the Winterhawks family takes over for Mark “Peaches” Brennan, who officially retired in May following the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.