At just 20 years old, what’s impressed Pete DeBoer, Jamie Benn and the other more veteran members of the Stars’ organization about Wyatt Johnston is his maturity.
His maturity to make smart decisions on the ice, to hone in on his weaknesses in the offseason and even in his personal life, setting him up for success in his second year in the NHL.
Johnston had a choice this offseason to move out on his own for the first time in his life. After living with Joe Pavelski’s family for a year, it could’ve been time for him to get his own apartment in Dallas and take that next step.
But at the beginning of the season, Johnston shared that he had renewed his lease at the Pavelski home and would be staying for another season. His search for his own place would have to wait until the offseason.
After watching Johnston play during the Stars’ first two weeks of games, DeBoer said that decision has been the difference between the sophomore picking up where he left off last year and experiencing the common sophomore slump many young players do.
“He made, I thought, some really mature decisions to try and avoid it, including not changing a whole lot of things from last year,” DeBoer said. “He went back and lived with the Pavelskis, again, didn’t move out and go on his own and add all that to the second-year thing, which I think eliminated a bunch of distractions.”
Through 11 games this season, Johnston recorded eight points (4 goals, 4 assists) and a team-high plus-minus of plus-five. His ice time has been up over a-minute-and-a-half, as he’s taken on additional responsibilities on the power play, penalty kill and in overtime.
But beyond the stats, he’s appeared to be Dallas’ most aggressive and confident player on the ice at times, especially when the team finds itself in a hole. He demonstrated that in the 3-2 loss to Boston Monday night by scoring the team’s first goal in over 122 minutes of play and nearly adding a second on a standout penalty kill alongside Roope Hintz.
Johnston defied expectations as a rookie, achieving what very few have before their 20th birthdays. But a year later, his game has noticeably grown, and the sense of comfort and confidence he’s added on top of his raw skill make him one of the more dangerous players on the roster.
“I definitely feel more confident, overall better with where I’m at,” Johnston said. “You want to be that guy to be out there in those important times and be out there when the game’s on the line.”
‘Stronger, faster and more confident’
After a year into his time in North Texas, Johnston feels like he’s found a home. Coming back for a second season, there were fewer unknowns.
His living situation was set, he knew where to get his favorite meals at Cava, Hudson House and Il Bracco and knew what to expect when reporting to camp.
However, an injury during camp, which sidelined him for all seven exhibition games, could’ve been a wrench in the plans of consistency.
“I was a little bit anxious,” Johnston said about missing camp.
But just like Jason Robertson did after missing camp last year, Johnston hit the ground running. From the first game against St. Louis, he was one of the best players on the ice.
“I thought he had that swagger back, that confidence back,” DeBoer said. “He looks stronger, faster, more confident than a year ago, which is scary.”
Even without seeing any action in September and October, Johnston had done the preparation he needed to be ready for his sophomore season.
He said at the end of last year, he had a conversation with Stars GM Jim Nill about the summer and how important it was to keep fighting as if he hadn’t yet made a roster spot.
Johnston knew his strength needed to be his focus, as that was his greatest weakness last year.
“That plays into a lot of things,” he said. “It helps with your skating, winning puck battles and gets your shot a little harder.”
His linemate Benn said his dedication in the summer has been the key to his hot start.
“After your first year of playing in this league, you know what to expect and how hard guys work,” he said. “I think summers are important, getting bigger and stronger, improving at the face-off dot as a centerman are all things that he’s improved in.”
‘He’s built a little different’
DeBoer and Benn both said the sophomore slump is a real challenge. The younger the player, the more susceptible he is.
Johnston’s situation was unique in that he stepped into the role at 19 years old without being a top-five draft pick. DeBoer said that he’s rarely coached young players that accomplished what Wyatt did last year, and those that he did were not drafted 23rd overall.
But both DeBoer and Benn also acknowledged that Johnston is different from the other teenagers they’ve been around in the league.
“Wyatt’s just a special player,” DeBoer said. “I think he’s mature beyond his years.”
“He’s built a little different,” Benn added. “It takes a special player to play in this league at 18, 19, now he’s 20, so I didn’t expect [a sophomore slump] at all, and we’re definitely not seeing it.”
Whether it was his goal against Boston, his three-point night against Philadelphia, his electric overtime against St. Louis or his robbed goal against Vancouver, Johnston has been a presence in almost every game he’s played in.
After his 41 points as a rookie and NHL All-Rookie Team selection, all the team wanted to see out of him to start the season was consistency.
DeBoer and the organization have Pavelski to thank for that.
“All I can do is come in and play the best I can. That’s all anyone who’s in their sophomore year can do,” Johnston said. “It’s easier, more comfortable.
“Sometimes you just feel it, you feel good, the puck’s kinda following you, and it just feels like any shift you’re going to make a play.”
Twitter: @lassimak
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How renewing his lease at the Pavelski home helped Wyatt Johnston avoid a sophomore slump - The Dallas Morning News
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