As expected, both former University of Michigan players Kent Johnson and Nick Blankenburg made their debuts with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night against the Montreal Canadiens.
As we reported before the game, Johnson's first game had been highly anticipated as he was the first pick for Columbus and the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The Port Moody, British Columbia native had a solid but quiet first outing as he skated for just over 11 minutes and finished with no shots and one hit.
"I haven't seen him a lot. I heard a lot about Johnny's game. I think he worked tonight; I think he was trying to make plays. I think the game is a little bit faster here, and He's gonna be fine," Larsen said when asked the debuts. "I think just getting used to handling the puck; things come at you a little bit quicker, but he did good."
"And with Nick, yeah, he's an impressive young man. He popped a few guys. He's got a real good stick; he trusts his game," Larsen went on, as he talked about Blankenburg. "He does, you can tell. He trusts his game out there as an undersized defenseman, and I thought he was real solid back there for us."
Johnson may have overshadowed Blankenburg heading into the game, but it was Nick who stood out the most in their first professional game. Nick is undersized for a defenseman at 5'9" and 175 pounds, but you wouldn't notice by how he plays. Just a couple seconds into his second shift on the ice, the D-man laid out Montreal forward Jake Evans.
When asked about coaching toughness with the new guys, this is what Larsen had to say.
"I don't think you have to tell Nick too much. That seems to be part of his game a little bit. He almost decapitated the first guy he hit. That's a good sign, you know, you like to see that from those young guys."
Blankenburg was all over the ice, getting aggressive with opposing players and laying out to block shots. He finished one hit and five blocked shots, however the highlight of the night for him would have to be getting his first NHL point.
The Michigan native received the puck from Cole Sillinger off of the faceoff and passed it to Emil Bemstrom who launched a wrister that was redirected into the back of the net by Cole Sillinger. Blankenburg was awarded the third star of the game and the Kepi for his performance.
Kent Johnson is a high profile draftee who, despite his low-key debut, looks to have a bright future ahead of himself in the NHL.
And, while it is far too early to know for sure, the Blue Jackets may have also found themselves a steal in the the undrafted defenseman out of the University of Michigan.
