With NCAA Tournament Starting, It Could Be A Matter Of Time Before Kent Johnson Arrives For Blue Jackets

By Will Chase on March 25, 2022 at 1:45 pm
Team Canada's Kent Johnson celebrates a goal with teammates during Group A play versus China in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Reuters-USA TODAY Sports
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The future is nearly here.

With the top overall seed Michigan Wolverines beginning NCAA tournament play today against American International, that might make you wonder.

Why should you care?

Columbus Blue Jackets' prospect Kent Johnson will participate in his first NCAA Tournament following Michigan's win over the Big 10 top overall seed, the Minnesota Golden Gophers, on Mar. 19 to capture the Big 10 Championship.

The Wolverines received an at-large bid to the tournament in 2020-21, however, they were not able to participate due to positive COVID-19 test results within the team.

In what's been a year of firsts and new experiences for Johnson, the 19-year-old is gunning for his first national championship, and the 10th title for the program at Michigan, which would be their first since 2010 if they can win this year.

Here's why you care.

The reality at play for Johnson, and of particular interest for Blue Jackets fans, is Johnson is one potential loss away from joining the Blue Jackets that much sooner. 

Even if the No. 1 overall seed Wolverines advance to the National Championship game and wins it all on April 9, there's still the possibility of Johnson being able to play April hockey for the Blue Jackets.

Could you imagine?

While it remains to be seen that Johnson would be on the roster before the end of this season, there's certainly that expectation.

Especially next season.

Johnson has had a wild year which has seen him as a standout for Michigan where he has 35 points (eight goals, 27 assists) this season.

He participated in the World Junior Championship where he scored one goal in two games for Team Canada before COVID prematurely ended the tournament, and then he played for Team Canada in last month's Winter Olympics, scoring five points in five games (one goal, four assists).

Even with the time away from college, Johnson finished ninth in the NCAA for points per game.

In four games across the Big 10 Tournament versus Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Minnesota, Johnson had five points (two goals, three assists). 

The kid made waves when he scored the game-winning goal with a one-timer to help capture the Big 10 Championship.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have 16 games left in the regular season with the final game taking place on April 29 at PPG Paints Arena against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Hopefully, Johnson gets a chance to sign his professional contract and get his feet wet at the NHL level in what's been a lifetime of firsts for the young player in just the past few months.

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