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Wyatt Johnston is still early in his career with the Dallas Stars. But he has already made a huge impact on the team. He especially shines in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The moment is not too big for the 20-year-old Ontario native. But, to head coach Pete DeBoer, it isn’t the offense that makes the young forward special. And he made a comparison to Boston Bruins legend Patrice Bergeron to illustrate this point.
DeBoer spoke about Johnston’s impact on the game recently. And he pointed out the 20-year-old’s contributions to the defensive side. The Stars head coach believes Johnston has a talent that can’t be taught by a coach or instructor. “I had (Patrice Bergeron) as a 19-year-old on (Canada’s 2005 IIHF) World Junior team and that’s not taught,” DeBoer said, via NHL.com. “I think that’s instinctual.”
Bergeron is one of the greatest defensive forwards of all time. He received 12 nominations for and won the Selke Trophy six times as the best defensive forward in the league. No player in the history of the league has been nominated for or won the Selke as much as Bergeron was during his playing days.
“He’s just one of those rare kids who just gets it and he creates offense without cheating defensively,” DeBoer said of Johnston, via NHL.com. “He’s just got a great conscience for winning hockey and that’s what makes him, in my mind, so special. The offense is great but that’s a special trait for a guy that young.”
Stars players praise Wyatt Johnston
Pete DeBoer is not the only one who sees greatness in Johnston. His Dallas teammates also have high praise for the 20-year-old. He currently leads the team with five goals and eight playoff points. He has two goals in two Game 7s already in his career. Johnston scored last postseason against the Seattle Kraken and this season against the Vegas Golden Knights.
“He’s on the ice with a minute left, he’s on the ice taking (penalty kill) face-offs against the other teams’ best players. He’s doing all the little things that you need to do to win and he’s scoring goals for us, too. Just how mature he is for how young he is, is incredible,” Stars defenseman Chris Tanev said, via NHL.com.
Johnston is impressing his teammates on and off the ice, as well. Veteran forward Matt Duchene is a 15-year NHL veteran. He has seen a lot of players come and go over his career. But the way the 20-year-old Ontario native carries himself is something that sticks with Duchene.
“Very laid-back kid, calm. He’s mature,” Duchene said, via NHL.com. “He’s a tremendous player. And I think a lot of us want to kind of join him at his level of game.”
Learning from experience
Wyatt Johnston is helping the Stars on their quest for a Stanley Cup. He plays a big role for Pete DeBoer and this Dallas team already. And the organization certainly hopes he continues to play a major role for many years. Having experience in the Stanley Cup Playoffs has certainly been a big help for the 20-year-old forward.
“I think the experience is one thing, just learning how to manage those emotions,” Johnston said, via NHL.com “I’ve been in a lot of different situations the past two years. The biggest thing is managing those emotions in the playoffs.”
Dallas will take the ice once again on Saturday night in Colorado. They will look to take a 2-1 series lead over the Colorado Avalanche. Johnston isn’t getting ahead of himself, though. He just wants to keep improving and help the Stars in any way he can.
“Overall, I’ve been pretty happy with how I’ve been playing but it’s still pretty early in the playoffs. I still think I’ve got more to give,” the Stars forward said, via NHL.com. “It’s a long playoff, a lot of games, a lot of ups and downs. I think the biggest thing is to try to keep improving, not be content no matter what.”
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