On a roster with NHL-drafted talent like Michael Rasmussen, Juuso Vålimåki, Jake Bean, Kyle Olson and Morgan Geekie, it can be easy to overlook Tri-City Americans forward Isaac Johnson.
If you are an opponent in the WHL though, you do so at your own peril. The 1999-born Johnson, in his first year in the WHL piled up 17 goals and 31 assists for 48 points in 68 games.
Johnson, who played the last two years in the USHL with the Des Moines Buccaneers had never played more than 47 games in a season prior to this year. Add to that the Americans run to the Western Conference final (where they are currently trailing their series with Everett 3-1) and the rookie has had a much longer year to get acclimated to.
“The season is a lot longer. At the beginning of the season and it just kept on going. I got the feel of it and it helps when we have a good team like this. Your body gets tired but at the end it is worth it. Especially considering we are in the Western Conference final,” Johnson said.
The Andover, Minnesota native seriously considered taking the NCAA route but ultimately decided to go and play junior hockey with Tri-City.
“It was a tough decision. At the end of the day I decided that I did not want to do the full four years of school and decided to come here. It’s been working out great.”
Getting to play with and pick up things from Rasmussen, Geekie and an overage WHL veteran like Jordan Topping had to help make that decision to come to the WHL.
“They have helped me learn how to handle myself off the ice – with media and how they take care of their bodies. I just learned form them and they are a great example and that is a big reason why I’ve been having success.”
Johnson played all over the lineup with injuries plaguing the Americans but ended up finding some good chemistry with Topping and Nolan Yaremko on the Americans second line. The six-foot-two, 183 pound Johnson has scored five times and has added eight assists fro 13 points in 12 playoff games.
“Yaremko and Topping have been great. Topping has been putting up a lot of points in this league and they are both great players. I think if we get our job done, we are connected and on the same page. We were getting results all season and we have carried it over into the playoffs.”
Added to their load this series has been the responsibility of often pairing up against and trying to shut down Everett’s Patrick Bajkov and Matt Fonteyne – two overage proven scorers in the WHL.
“They are really good players and we have some good players on our line as well. When we o out there against them, we know who they are and know that we have to work hard and do our job. It’s tough to shut them down, especially in their rink. When we get put against them, we have to be aware of their offense but also make them pay in their own zone.”
The Americans face a do-or-die game on Saturday at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett.
That game is what Johnson is concentrating on and not the NHL draft in Dallas this June, where he is expected to be taken. He was ranked 140th among North American skaters in the most recent NHL Central Scouting survey.
“It’s there and in the back of my mind. I just have to play my game. I don’t want to get distracted over that stuff. If I get drafted that is great but we have a job to do and I’m going to try to get that done.”
Rising up the rankings though has had validate his decision to come to the WHL though.
“Definitely coming to the Western league was probably a good choice as it’s exposing me a bit more so that is good.”
Johnson has a goal and two assists for three points in the four games so far with Everett.
