Rockets’ Johansen signs entry-level contract with NHL’s Capitals
The Washington Capitals announced this morning they have signed Kelowna Rockets defenceman Lucas Johansen to a three-year entry-level contract.
Johansen, a 19-year-old product of Port Moody, B.C., has six goals and 30 assists for 36 points through 60 games this season with the Rockets. He has also posted a plus-16 rating.
Johansen ranks second among Rockets defencemen in points, assists and goals.
Last season, Johansen registered 49 points (10G-39A) in 69 games with Kelowna and led the team’s blueliners in points, goals and assists as well as ranked third among WHL defencemen in power-play assists (25).
The 6-foot-2, 179-pound defenceman was a teammate of another Capitals prospect in Madison Bowey. In 2014-15, the two helped the Rockets win the WHL Championship.
Johansen has earned 90 points (16G-74A) in 190 career WHL games with the Rockets.
He was drafted by the Capitals in the first round, 28th overall, in the 2016 NHL Draft.
#Caps sign @LucasJohansen97 to a three-year, entry-level and @ColbyWilliams22 to a two-year, entry-level contracts. https://t.co/z8h6hbjBQI pic.twitter.com/S6z3xlnXAO
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 2, 2017
Johansen’s older brother Ryan Johansen was also drafted in the first round of the NHL Draft, fourth overall, by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2010. Ryan is a centre currently playing for the Nashville Predators where he’s accumulated 49 points (10G-39A) thus far this year.
You can catch Lucas Johansen in action with the rest of the Rockets on Friday night when they visit the Everett Silvertips in Everett.
The youngest Johansen and his teammates will be back at home Saturday to take on the Tri-City Americans at Prospera Place.
Tickets are available for Rockets home games through selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.