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| Erik JOHNSON (JAWN-suhn, AIR-ihk) |
St. Louis Blues |
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JOHNSON STILL ADJUSTING TO LIFE IN NHL
Norm Sanders writes in the Belleville News-Democrat, "The evolution of St. Louis Blues defenseman Erik Johnson continues on a daily basis. Johnson, a 19-year-old rookie defenseman and the first overall pick in the 2006 draft, is still making strides as he nears the midway point of his first NHL season. Johnson's goal Monday was his first since Nov. 23 and helped the Blues post a 2-0 victory at Detroit. He's still learning the defensive nuances of the game, but also is one of the Blues' top skaters with one of the hardest shots." |
ERIK JOHNSON TURNS UP THE HEAT ON DEFENSE
Jeremy Rutherford writes in the St. Louis Dispatch, "At times recently, it has almost required a double-take to verify which Blues defenseman just delivered that hard check or rode an opposing forward along the boards. The player skates away and indeed it was rookie Erik Johnson. Johnson's scouting report indicated his game included a strong physical presence to go along with an uncanny offensive touch for a player 6 feet 4, 222 pounds. A hairline fracture in his right foot, however, caused him to miss 10 games and slowed his development. But now that Johnson has played in 11 consecutive games going into tonight's game against Minnesota, his attributes are beginning to shine. Johnson, 19, said his confidence grows with each game." |
ON THE JOB TRAINING
Harry Thompson writes in USAHockey Magazine, "After watching Erik Johnson compete in a preseason rookie tournament in Traverse City, Mich., one NHL scout described him as "a man among boys." On Sept. 13, the day the St. Louis Blues opened its training camp, the roles were reversed for the No. 1 overall selection in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. As Johnson pulled his 6-foot-4, 222-pound frame out from behind the wheel of his SUV, he was ready to report for his first day of work. Before he did, the 19-year-old sent his dad a text message. "This is kind of the end of the beginning for me ... ending my amateur career and starting my pro career," Johnson wrote. "I'm excited about that."" |
JOHNSON MAKES HIMSELF AT HOME
Marcie Garcia writes on NHL.com, "As Al MacInnis was being inducted into the Hockey Hall of fame Monday night, 19-year-old St. Louis Blues rookie defenseman Erik Johnson had the TV on, not only to see what a Blues legend accomplished, but to also see what his landlord had to say in his acceptance speech. While one playing career has run its course in an exemplary manor, another is just beginning. Lucky for Johnson, he has special insight on what it takes to succeed since he's living in MacInnis' basement." |
MAKING THE TRANSITION, DESPITE BROKEN FOOT
John Shipley writes in the Pioneer Press, "It didn't take long for Erik Johnson to make his presence felt on the St. Louis blue line. In the Blues' second game of the season, he fired a slap shot from the point for the game-winner at Los Angeles. Blues coach Andy Murray made it clear that's what he expects from the No. 1 overall pick of the 2006 NHL entry draft, even if Johnson's rise has been momentarily derailed by a broken foot. "Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews ... There are lots of rookies who make an impact," Murray said. That's high praise or major pressure, depending on how you want to look at it. But Johnson, a former University of Minnesota standout from Bloomington who played at Holy Angels, is no ordinary player. And the Blues, who expect to make the playoffs this season, would not have given him a spot if they didn't believe he would help the team win this season." |
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