Penguins/NHL
Prospect Profile: Nick Johnson
Height: 6-2/ Weight: 197, Age 23
2008-2009 stats
(ECHL) Wheeling: 18GP – 14G-10A-24pts
(AHL) WBS Penguins: 54GP – 14G-17A-31PTS/ Playoffs: 10pts in 12 games
Prospect Nick Johnson (3rd round pick, 2004), is viewed as a late bloomer in the prospect circles as he was born on December 24th, 1985. With less than three years of professional experience, Johnson earned an invite to the Penguins Prospect camp (TIOPS will cover the entire event), which will be held next week.
A four year player at Dartmouth College, Johnson was regarded as the Penguins prospect who showed the most improvement from team scouts at last years prospect camp which was held in Kitchener, Ontario.
Johnson made the jump to the American Hockey League mid-way through the 2008-2009 campaign and posted 31 points in 54 games. As the season went on, Johnson adjusted to playing against bigger, stronger players and what has intrigued scouts the most for the upcoming season, was the way Johnson performed during Wilkes Barre’s playoff run.
Johnson will have the opportunity to build off of his strong playoff run, next week when the Penguins prospect camp begins.
At 6-2, 197 lbs, Johnson is a player who uses his size well in front of the net and he has the speed on the outside to play at the next level by the 2010-2011 season, if he continues his development.
An area of concern for Johnson has been
bulking up and improving his strength. The organization has put him through a strict regiment this summer in improving his upper body strength.
His ability to get stronger and playing with more of an edge will be the key to Johnson becoming a key contributor for the Penguins in the future. Team insiders see Johnson as a legitimate 3rd line winger who has the potential to fill in as a top-6 forward from time to time.
Johnson will not battle for a roster spot this year, but he’s a player rising the prospect charts and the team is very high on him as the organization projects him to have a 22-25 goal season in Wilkes Barre.
