MEET THE CHIEFS 2015-16: #15 WYATT JOHNSON
by Joe Everson / Spokane Chiefs Education Advisor — Photo courtesy: Red Deer Rebels
SPOKANE, Wash. – Life can change quickly for any junior hockey player, but one of the newest Spokane Chiefs, Wyatt Johnson, wasn’t expecting that it would change so quickly for him.
After all, 20-year-old Johnson had spent his entire WHL career with the Red Deer Rebels, playing 240 games there. This season, he had been named the captain of the hosting team for the 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup in May.
But the Rebels, gearing up for a run at the Cup, made four trades in a week and so Johnson, valued as a leader both on and off the ice, became a member of the Chiefs on the first day of 2016. He had only been in Spokane twice before, when the Rebels visited the Arena during their biennial trip through the U.S. Division.
“It was a surprise to me, but it was a good surprise,” Johnson said. “One thing I’ll always remember is that I scored my first WHL goal here, in my third career game.” That memorable goal turned out to be the game-winner in a 3-1 Rebels win in Spokane on Dec. 5, 2012. Johnson finished his rookie year with 9 goals and 17 assists in 38 games after going undrafted in the WHL Bantam Draft.
“The biggest adjustment for me will be getting used to a new city, new billets… things like that,” he said. “The toughest part of leaving Red Deer was that I had lots of good relationships there. My younger brother Reese is on the Rebels.”
But Johnson quickly warmed to his new teammates and new coaches, and while life was hectic for a few days—he played two games in Portland before his first practice in Spokane—he was up for a new challenge and new opportunities. Johnson scored his first goal as a Chief on his first shot, just 29 seconds into the game on Jan. 2, and added an assist later in the game.
Johnson’s on-ice production has increased with each year of experience in the WHL. After his rookie year, he posted 31 points (with 14 goals) in 2013-14 before really finding his touch last season, scoring 25 times and adding 29 assists for 54 points. In 38 games with Red Deer this season, he tallied 9 goals and 17 assists.
“My hockey role won’t be a lot different here,” he explained. “I need to be a solid two-way player and play a leadership role on a younger team, although I know I can’t just show up and start talking in the room. The more I get to know the guys, though, the more I can offer there.”
Johnson feels that he’s a lot like most 20-year-old young men, but that his hockey experience has helped him to deal with anything that comes up in life.
“Wherever I am, my experience has taught me that all I can do is try my best every day, not just in hockey but in everything. Hockey is a business at this level, but it’s helped me to develop personally faster than most kids.”
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Spokane Chiefs Education Advisor Joe Everson works with all Chiefs players, from those still in high school to those pursuing a post-secondary education or preparing to do so following their WHL career. Throughout this season, Everson will profile individual Chiefs to provide insight into their lives, their preparation and their goals for the future.
