London Knights deal high-scoring Kaeden Johnson

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A collection of news and notes from across the Southwestern Ontario sports scene

Knights trade forward

The London Knights have traded their pre-season leading scorer.

Kaeden Johnston was shipped to the Sarnia Sting on Monday for Erie’s fourth-round pick in 2027. The 19-year-old forward from Peterborough scored five goals and eight points in four exhibition games against Erie and the Sting.

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Johnston had been trying to become a Knights regular for much of the past two seasons. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound former Komoka King scored six goals and 10 points with a minus-6 rating in 40 OHL games last season.

“It was a tough decision,” London GM Mark Hunter said. “We wanted to make sure he had an opportunity and if we get what we’re supposed to get back – even partial – (in returning players), he’s a top-two line guy for them.

“It’s an opportunity for him and a chance to show his stuff.”

Johnston was originally a fifth-round pick in 2021.

KENNINGTON FINISHES FOURTH

DJ Kennington recorded his 10th top-10 finish Sunday in Quebec to end up in fourth spot in the NASCAR Canada series championship standings.

The St. Thomas driver of the No. 17 Castrol Edge Dodge overcame a flat tire and body damage collected during a multi-car collision to battle to a ninth-place result in the 250-lap race at the Autodrome Montmagny.

“We had some tough breaks, but this team never gave up,” Kennington said. “We made some good strides this year and we’ve already started making plans for the off-season to be even better next year.”

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Kevin Lacroix won the final race, but Marc-Antoine Camirand claimed the points title. Dutton’s Jason Hathaway was fifth overall behind Kennington.

SQUASH CHAMPS CROWNED IN LONDON

Egyptian Mohamad Zakaria roared back from an 0-2 hole to beat Englishman Curtis Malik 3-2 in a 66-minute final to claim the NASH Cup men’s squash title this past weekend at London Squash and Fitness.

Katie Maliff beat fellow Englishwoman Torrie Malik – Curtis’ sister – 3-2 in 53 minutes for the women’s crown. In an all-Canadian final, Brett Schille beat Connor Turk 3-1 for the inaugural Jack Fairs Open championship. In the amateur finals, Jagroop Bhangoo beat Scott Mikalacki 3-1 for the ‘A’ title while Jonny Potmesil beat Erez Provizor 3-1 (B), Jordan Nash won 3-0 over James Gallant (C) and Mark Vander Vies topped Adam Arbus 3-0 (D).

rpyette@postmedia.com

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