CHL Alumni Spotlight: Wyatt Johnston

In the seventh edition of the CHL Alumni Spotlight presented by Carlsberg Canada, former Windsor Spitfires forward Wyatt Johnston reflects on his OHL journey (2019-2022) and his development over three seasons in Windsor before advancing to a successful professional career in the National Hockey League. Johnston did not play in the 2020-2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was selected 23rd overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2021 NHL Draft.

The 21-year-old forward is in his third season with the Stars, having recorded 166 points (80-86-166) in 228 regular-season contests. On Oct. 13, 2022, Johnston (19 years, 151 days) became the second-youngest player in Dallas Stars/Minnesota North Stars history to score in his NHL debut, a 4-1 win against the Nashville Predators. In 2023, Johnston was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.

Selected sixth overall by the Spitfires in the 2019 OHL Draft, the Toronto, Ont. native tallied 154 points (58-96-154) in 121 regular-season games. He also added 41 points (14-27-41) in 25 playoff contests during the 2022 playoffs, helping the Spitfires capture the Western Conference Championship.

In 2022, Johnston was awarded the OHL Most Valuable Player of the Year, the OHL and CHL Top Scorer of the Year, and the OHL Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year awards.