NHL Draft: From “Mr. Hockey” to the Devils, Johnson comes full circle
By Matt Mackinder –
PITTSBURGH – This time last year, Ben Johnson was enjoying summer vacation after winning the state’s “Mr. Hockey” honors as a junior at Calumet High School and had just signed a free-agent deal with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League.
One year later, Johnson is an NHL draft pick, having been taken in the third round (90th overall) by the New Jersey Devils on June 23 in Pittsburgh.
The 18-year-old could barely contain his excitement at first when surrounded by reporters following his selection. Speechless at times, he was perhaps put in a deer-in-the-headlights mood once he was drafted and his NHL dreams becoming one step closer.
“Hearing my name called, it’s thrilling, obviously,” said Johnson. “It’s a great time for me right now and I’m just soaking it all in.”
Johnson’s cousin, Blake Pietila, was drafted 129th overall in 2011 by New Jersey and currently plays for Michigan Tech. He’s also familiar with former Windsor forward and current New Jersey up-and-comer Adam Henrique, so he knows a little bit about the Devils, Stanley Cup runners-up this season to Los Angeles.
“I skated pretty much every day with Henrique last summer and I’m pumped to talk to him this year about New Jersey,” added Johnson.
A power forward-type player with an edge to his game, Johnson shared the 2011 “Mr. Hockey” award with Gerald Mayhew from Wyandotte Roosevelt High School. While Mayhew played this past season in the USHL, Johnson put up 18 goals among 38 points while playing in all 68 regular-season contests for Windsor.
And New Jersey took notice.
“I kind of thought it would be (the Devils),” Johnson said. “I had a couple interviews with them before the draft and I was just really glad that they were interested.”
As for Windsor, Johnson said the Spitfires “have meant everything” for his development.
“They brought me in last year and gave me a good chance to play in the OHL,” said Johnson. “The coaches there really know what they’re doing, are great guys and really just taught me so much. There are so many guys playing in the NHL from their two Memorial Cup runs (2009, 2010) and it’s really an honor to play for that organization.”
Looking back on the past year, Johnson has basically gone from a high school phenom – 77 points in 30 games will do that – to a player with NHL potential.
“A year ago, jeez, I dreamt of this and now, it’s a dream come true,” Johnson said. “This is reality here and I’m just so thrilled right now that I can’t even explain it.”
Once Johnson comes down from Cloud 9, it will be back to training forNew Jersey’s camp later this summer and most likely another year of seasoning inWindsor.
“I think we have a chance to make a Memorial Cup run next year,” boasted Johnson. “We have a lot of good, young players and I’m really excited for it.”