The 27-year-old signed his first-ever NHL contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this month.

Marc Johnstone had doubts about his career before it had even started.

"It's a little bit of a crazy story," said the 27-year-old.

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Johstone's professional career began in 2021 after spending four years at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. When he left school, Johnstone signed with the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays.

"I was told I was going to play a lot," the 27-year-old said. "So when I got cut right from there, after four games, it was pretty tough."

But little did Johnstone know that it was only the start of his journey to signing an NHL contract.

"My agent, John Osei-Tutu, we actually talked about this like right before I signed with the Penguins," Johnstone said.

"I was pretty disappointed, obviously with getting cut, especially after four games. A lot goes through your head, you don't know if you are actually good enough and I was obviously doubting myself getting cut so early into pro hockey.

"And John actually kind of laughed at me and was like, 'You're good, like relax, like it's going to be a process, like take your time.'  So then, that summer, I actually got in contact with good friend Ryan Hardy, and obviously we talked (Newfoundland) Growlers. 

"It was definitely an interesting path to get to where I am, but I would change nothing."

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The Newfoundland Growlers was where Johnstone really took off. Although his 21 points in 58 games might not catch the eye, his play on the ice definitely did.

But what allowed him to have that success so early on?

"Coming out of college, I kind of played the college-style game. It was really nice to get with Eric Wellwood, someone that just trusts their players to flourish offensively," said Johnstone. 

"Offense hasn't really been a big part of my game, so just getting the confidence right away from him to just go out there and make plays and don't be discouraged if the play doesn't work, just keep going, like we want to play offense. I think that part really helped my game. 

"And just learning from the pros down there as well. We had a great veteran group down there, Todd Skirving, Zach O'Brien, James Melindy, Derian Plouffe, Marcus Power, just to name a few. 

"They really helped me dial in my day-to-day habits and they just showed me what you have to do every day to get the most out of your body and how important it is to treat your body."

Johnstone, throughout his hockey career, has been tabbed as a leader. His hardworking mentality sets him apart from a lot of other players, on and off the ice. All of that hard work has allowed the 27-year-old to catapult him to where he is today.

"I guess just my family and a lot of it came from my older brother," Johnstone said of where the hard work mentality comes from. 

"He wouldn't really let me play with him unless I was good enough. And no matter how hard I worked or how much I tried, I honestly was never good enough. So I mean, that kind of just stuck with me the whole way and obviously competing is a lot of fun.

"Like, I love to do that so anything you can gain the advantage of, just like an extra stride or an extra hit or get in someone's way, like an extra step, like that can be the difference. So I've kind of taken that as my badge of honour and just try not to let anyone outwork me."

The 27-year-old, before turning pro, was the captain of the USHL's Chicago Steel in his final year there before becoming a captain in his final two seasons at University.

Those leadership roles helped mould him into the person he is today, but Johnstone also would agree that the moulding process began far before that.

"My dad was a basketball coach so the guys were always around our house and I was always at the court. And obviously, some of the leaders were the better players, so I watched them a lot and learned a lot from them," Johnstone said. 

"They're obviously two different sports but leadership is leadership. You can take pieces from everyone you've known and everyone you've learned from."

Last summer was when Johnstone really wanted to take the next step. The 27-year-old could see that a full-time role in the AHL was there, he just had to take it.

And towards the end of that summer is where Johnstone felt he was about to take another leap.

"There were a few scrimmages there at the end of summer (in Toronto) with the big guys there. Like (Morgan) Rielly was there all summer, he was great. Auston Matthews came at the end of summer, (Mitch) Marner was there with William Nylander, Michael Bunting.

"So, I mean, that kind of prepared me to kind of jump right into the season and kind of take that next step from the Growlers to the Marlies."

When the 27-year-old started his first full AHL season, things weren't going his way offensively. His defensive game has always been sound, but Johnstone felt there was more that he could provide on the scoresheet.

Over time, everything started to come together. And as the 27-year-old gained more confidence, he was moved up the lineup too.

"I think there's a few things you can attribute it to," Johnstone said.

"The coaching staff was phenomenal. (Greg) Moore, (John) Snowden, and (A.J.) MacLean, they did a great job with video and detailing the game. And I think they transitioned my game to a new level. 

"I had a one-on-one meeting with A.J. MacLean and we talked about creating space from the D-zone to the O-zone and how similar it was. I was doing a pretty good job with it in the D-zone, but offensively I was trying to rush things. And he (MacLean) kind of took me aside and we sat and did video and he made a bunch of good points as to being a little bit more patient on the offensive side, and I think that really helped. 

"As well as just being really comfortable with the guys. The locker room was phenomenal. We had a few Grolwers right away up there with the Marlies, so we had a nice group of comfortability there. 

"And then it just spread all the way around to the guys, all the veterans, (Joseph) Blandisi is a huge vocal guy and he brings everyone in. It doesn't matter if you're going out for lunch or it doesn't matter if you're just hanging at the rink, he's always saying something, he's always bringing you in. 

"Just things like that, making you feel comfortable and at home at the rink, just making jokes. That makes life a whole lot easier."

Just two years after Johnstone thought his career might be over, he got one step closer to achieving his dream of one day playing in the NHL.

The 27-year-old signed his first-ever NHL contract, inking a two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, signifying that all of that hard work really does pay off.

"It hasn't officially sunk in yet," Johnstone said with a huge grin. "I think it will when I get there and I see the locker room and meet some of the guys."

One of those guys will be Sidney Crosby, who definitely needs no introduction. It'll be a new beginning for Johnstone, one that he'll never forget.

But how is the 27-year-old feeling about playing with Crosby and some of his other idols?

"I've been asked that question a few times now, but I don't know," Johnstone said with a huge smile. 

"I actually happened to be at Sidney Crosby's first game. It was at the Continental Airlines Arena in New Jersey. So I mean, hopefully, we get a chance to talk about that. But I don't know, you just got to take it day by day and take those moments. 

"Obviously, at the beginning, I'll be a little starstruck, but at the end of the day, they're just hockey players. They're obviously great hockey players, so I'm just going to try and learn and just try to pick their brain and try to get as much as I can out of them."

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