FROM BLUE JACKETS DRAFT NIGHT 2021

July 23, 2021

The Columbus Blue Jackets have selected University of Michigan center Kent Johnson with the fifth overall selection in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft, club General Manager and Alternate Governor Jarmo Kekalainen announced tonight.

Johnson, 18, recorded nine goals and 18 assists for 27 points with three power play goals and a cumulative +16 plus/minus rating in 26 games in his first season at the University of Michigan in 2020-21. He was named to the NCAA (BIG10) All-Rookie Team and the NCAA (BIG10) Honorable Mention All-Star Team. Johnson led the team in power play goals and ranked second on the club in points and assists. He also ranked second in rookie scoring in the BIG10 and third in the nation in rookie points per game. In addition, his +16 plus/minus rating landed him 10th in the BIG10.

The Port Moody, British Columbia native tallied 61-86-147 with 40 penalty minutes in 111 career outings with the Trail Smoke Eaters in the British Columbia Hockey League from 2017-20. He led the BCHL in goals, assists and points in 2019-20 with 41-60-101 and 14 power play goals in 52 contests during the 2019-20 regular season. The 6-1, 167-pound center was also awarded the BCHL’s Most Valuable Player (Vern Dye Memorial Trophy), Top Scorer (Brett Hull Trophy) and Most Sportsmanlike Player (Bob Fenton Trophy) following his 2019-20 campaign.

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN NOTES

The 19-year-old sophomore tied for fourth this season at Michigan with 37 points (eight goals, 29 assists) in 32 games. 

In two seasons with Michigan, Johnson had 64 points (17 goals, 47 assists) in 58 games. He showed he was NHL-ready.

9-GAME STINT WITH 2021-22 COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ATHLETICS AND COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS COMMUNICATIONS