Tuesday, March 27, 2007

OT: LA Kings: Jack Johnson is Coming to Town

I've been a rabid Kings fan for almost as long as I've been a lifelong Dodgers fan. So, imagine my elation when I found out yesterday evening that heralded defensive college star Jack Johnson had officially signed with the Kings and would be joining the team this coming Thursday for a scrimmage against Vancouver. WooHoo!

This guy can not only hit with the power and force of a young Rob Blake, but he can score like a Chris Pronger.

From the Kings press release today:
A three-time CCHA Defenseman of the Week winner, Johnson set career highs with his 39 points, 23 assists, 16 goals and 10 multi-point games. His 16 goals were the second-highest single-season goal total by a U-M defenseman and a sophomore defenseman record while his plus-26 rating ranked second on U-M. His 87 penalty minutes were a team-high, he tied for fourth on U-M with four power play goals, he tied for second on U-M with two short-handed goals and he recorded his first career hat trick on January 26 versus Ferris State.

During his sophomore season at Michigan, Johnson also played for Team USA at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship tournament in Sweden and earned a bronze medal. At the tournament, Johnson played in seven games and had three points (all goals), which tied for the team lead. He was also one of
three Kings prospects -- Trevor Lewis (center) and Jeff Zatkoff (goaltender) were the others – who played for the United States as the Kings had the most players named to the squad of any other NHL club.

During his first season at Michigan (2005-06), he set a freshman record for scoring as a blueliner with the Wolverines with 32 points (10-22=32) in 38 games. A finalist for the CCHA Best Offensive Defenseman award and a member of the CCHA All-Rookie Team, Johnson also had five power play goals and two game-winning goals while finishing with 149 penalty minutes and a plus-11 rating. Prior to playing at Michigan, Johnson played at renowned Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school in Faribault, Minnesota.

Johnson’s participation in the 2007
World Juniors was not the first international experience of his young career. He was an All-Star selection at the 2006 World Junior Championship where his six points (1-5=6) in seven games helped the U.S. to a fourth place finish. In addition, Johnson has earned gold medals with Team USA at the 2005 World Under-18 Championship, the 2005 Five Nations Tournament (U.S. Under-18 Team) and the 2004 Compuware Four Nations Cup (U.S. Under-18 Team).
At Shattuck-St. Mary's Prep he was a teammate of the Penguins Sidney Crosby. Now if only we had a goalie, then I think we are finally headed in the right direction. Next season should be exciting.

Wait Til Next Year!

Below are some YouTube Videos featuring Jack Johnson.



YouTube Link: dtopdat:

Jack Johnson knocks the helmet off the goalie with a slap shot.


YouTube Link: dcnole:

Jack does some htting.


YouTube Link: dcnole:

Hat Tip: Let's Go Kings Message Board:

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