Johnson gets his chance
After spending two seasons at Rockford, Blackhawks center
Luke Johnson finally will get his chance in the NHL.
Johnson, 24, said he got frustrated at times in Rockford. He said he felt stuck. But he acknowledged his time in the American Hockey League taught him a lot, including ‘‘learning how to be a pro.’’
‘‘Coming from [the University of North Dakota], it’s definitely eye-opening to see all the older guys and how they prepare and take care of themselves, whether it’s nutrition or training or any of that stuff,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘That was a big eye-opener for me.’’
Johnson lost 15 pounds once he started meeting with a nutritionist, which he thinks helped him skate and perform better.
Johnson caught the Hawks’ attention after notching eight points in 13 playoff games last season at Rockford.
‘‘You always hear he’s very useful,’’ coach Joel Quenneville said. ‘‘He’s one of those guys that has a real good thought process for the game. [He] picked up his pace, picked up his training habits and conditioning, as well.’’
Quenneville said he sees Johnson fitting into a variety of roles with the Hawks. During the preseason, Johnson primarily has been centering Marcus Kruger and Andreas Martinsen on the fourth line. Quenneville said those players have the potential to form an effective line.
‘‘[Johnson] can take faceoffs and can kill penalties and have a real defined job description or role,’’ Quenneville said. ‘‘He came into camp and enhanced it even more so with the puck and making plays and having patience with it. He did a lot of good things we’re looking for in that line.
‘‘He can be very responsible and very useful, taking a lot of D-zone faceoffs. And [we have] some physicality, as well, with [Martinesen] on that line.’’
Forsling update
For the last week, defenseman Gustav Forsling has been skating an hour before Hawks practices.
Forsling, who had wrist surgery during the offseason, is expected to be out until November, but he has been participating in skating drills and working with a weighted stick.
Although Forsling has been showing improvement, Quenneville said he doesn’t expect the timetable for his return to change.
DeBrincat under the weather
Forward Alex DeBrincat was absent from practice. He was feeling ill, the Hawks said.