Here is a sample of some of the sports stories John has written in the past several months for the mainstream media. John has covered a wide range of sports for the News-Optimist in recent years, including SJHL junior hockey, high school football, golf tournaments, basketball, and many others. These articles give you some sense of the range of stories he has covered on the beat.
Before moving into newspaper journalism John handled a wide variety of sports assignments for TV while in Ontario. Among his assignments were coverage of the Ontario Hockey League, the National Women's Hockey League, the National Professional Soccer League, high school football, Olympic athletes, curling and many other sports in the greater Toronto area. Highlights of his time in TV include interviews with such names as CBC's Don Cherry, Jim Kelly of the Buffalo Bills, Canadian women's hockey star Hayley Wickenheiser, former Maple Leaf goalie Johnny Bower, former Leafs captain Rick Vaive, Stanley Cup winner with the New Jersey Devils Grant Marshall, and several junior hockey stars who would go on to the NHL including Raffi Torres and Rostislav Klesla of the OHL's Brampton Battalion.
Revving up for another roaring July
Ticket prices for pro sports are through the roof
Cup finals the talk of the town
North Stars season over after 3-2 loss
North Stars fighting for survival
Radisson sinks Blues in double-OT
NBCHS hosts senior basketball tourney
Local legacy to Olympic Torch Relay unveiled
Notre Dame fills the net against Sharks
City chooses 2010 as year to raise the roof
Frustration boils over for North Stars
North Stars strike it rich against Melville
Council returns to Riderville
LA man rides in from Alaska on spiritual quest
Unity loses to Avonlea in Riderville contest
Roughriders truly represent the province
Vikings learn the hard way versus Falcons
The Riders need a new stadium: it's time
