Pats look forward to more offence from blue-liner
Regina Pats defenceman Jake Johnson didn’t initiate an overthe-top celebration after scoring his first WHL goal.
He basically just went along for the ride.
“All the boys were rushing over and yelling on the bench; it was just a good moment all around,” said Johnson, who downplayed the milestone after Sunday’s game.
“In the back of your end you always want to get that first one but, before the game, I’m not thinking ‘I need to get one tonight’ or anything like that. There are other parts of hockey, obviously, and different aspects to focus on. When a goal comes, it comes.”
Johnson scored with 3:32 left in the second period of a 4-3 overtime win versus the Brandon Wheat Kings. Logan Nijhoff won the draw back to Johnson along the left-side boards in Brandon’s zone. He shifted to his right before releasing a wrist shot through traffic that went off the bottom of the crossbar and in.
Johnson also had an assist for his second career two-point game (he had two assists on Oct. 19).
The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder has the potential to develop into an all-around defender with offensive upside, but it’s important for him to first develop the foundation of a strong “200-foot game.”
“Our whole group has had to learn how to play defensive hockey because of not having the puck all the time,” head coach Dave Struch said. “He can be a leader moving forward because he is good offensively and he has learned how to play defensive hockey.”
Despite some ups and downs, it has been a generally productive campaign for the 16-year-old rookie, who is Regina’s youngest defender. He has one goal and five helpers while playing in 52 of the team’s 57 regular-season games.
“He probably plays more than most young guys should, especially on the back end,” Struch said. “He has made a lot of mistakes this year but he plays a lot of minutes and he’s learning. He’s one kid who has some natural abilities, some natural IQ. He’s taking it to another level. It has taken a little bit too long to get that monkey (off his back) but it goes back to our group identity — the resilience, sticking with it and getting rewarded for it.”
In many ways, Johnson’s first WHL season has already been a rewarding one.
“I’d say the first half of the year there was a lot of learning just a different pace,” said the native of Scottsdale, Ariz., who had three goals and 17 points in 24 games last season with the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes. “It’s better hockey than I’ve been playing before I came here. The second half I’ve really taken a step and gotten better.”
Along the way, Johnson’s icetime has increased.
So has his confidence. “As you go along through the season, you realize you have more time than you really think,” said Johnson, a 10th-round pick in the 2018 bantam draft. “It’s not quite as fast as you think once you get used to it. You have time to make more plays and be more confident with the puck.”
Johnson’s evolution is expected to continue heading into next season, when he’ll have an opportunity to earn a larger role with more responsibility. He has earned it so far by holding his own against players up to four years his senior.
“I honestly don’t really think of it (that way); I try not to worry about who I’m up against,” added Johnson, who could be on the radar for the 2021 NHL draft.
“I have to come to camp after a summer of training and just have a good year. My draft is next year so I’m hoping for the best. If not, just keep working. You can always get drafted after your draft year.”
As you go along through the season, you realize you have more time than you really think.