ALBUQUERQUE – Hey Ice Wolves followers and welcome to the newest version of the Ice Wolves Den. This week we function Johnny Johansson.
Johnny Johansson grew up in an enormous hockey household and had many individuals to look as much as, “Positively my Dad was an inspiration, he performed professional and he taught me every thing I do know. Wether is was volunteering as a coach with a few of my youth groups or bringing me to apply.” Johansson continued, “My Mother too, she positively evokes me to play laborious each recreation. She doesn’t know hockey as a lot as my Dad does, however she is aware of after I’m placing my greatest on the market.”
A significant spotlight for Johnny was the preseason video games on the Outpost towards the US Nationwide Group Improvement Program, “That was extraordinarily particular. My Uncle Jimmy was large in serving to to start out that program. We misplaced him in 2018 to an sudden medical occasion.” Johansson stated, “To have the ability to convey that group down right here and present them what the South is about, not solely is it opening their eyes, nevertheless it’s opening our eyes to how good we may be and what it takes to get to that D-1 stage. Let’s be trustworthy, they’re most likely going to play much more hockey than we’ll.”
Ice Wolves Assistant Coach Kyle McKenzie feels Johnny has met his expectations, “I anticipated Johnny to be a superb penalty killed, good 5 on 5, he’s finished simply that this 12 months. He did an amazing job as Captain, Coach Hartzell actually appreciated the way in which he approached the referee, he all the time had the sport in verify.” McKenzie continued, “Enjoying the NTDP was large and it was particular for Johnny. It was a particular scene for Johnny to not solely play, however he contributed nicely that weekend.”
As Coach McKenzie stated, Johnny was one of many groups Captains in the course of the season, Johnny knew how particular it was, particularly after not getting enjoying time final season earlier than transitioning from protection to ahead, “Once you get the C nothing modifications, you continue to must be your self. The ref listens to you extra, however on the ice nothing modifications. It was extra of an honor to have the boys vote for me to be the Captain.” Johnny stated, “Final 12 months it was robust as a result of I got here right into a scenario the place there have been quite a lot of good defensemen, so I wasn’t enjoying so much. I’ll always remember it, we have been in Colorado and Coach Fox requested me if I wished to strive ahead to get some ice time. I began enjoying in additional video games, extra defensive minded to eat minutes. This summer time I labored on my offensive facet of the sport and develop that half and it exhibits in my stats. I’m not a purpose scorer, however I’m getting stuff finished.”
The NAHL Ice Wolves have been off as they put together to tackle the El Paso Rhinos within the Greatest of three Quarter Finals. All video games will probably be performed on the Outpost, Friday and Saturday at 6:30 and if needed Sunday at 2.
Photograph Credit score Scott Adamson
