Erik Johnson

Erik Johnson is an American ice hockey player. He currently plays for the St. Louis Blues in the National Hockey League. Johnson is a defenseman and currently is in his second professional season. http://blues.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8473446

In 2003-04, Johnson played 31 games for the Academy of Holy Angels in Minnesota. He tallied 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists), helping the team go 25-5-1 while winning the Conference Championship. He attended the USA Hockey Select 15 camp.

Johnson debuted for the USNTDP for the 2004-05 Season. He played 42 games for the U-17 Team and 15 games for the U-18 Team. In 57 total games he tallied 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists). His 26 points were the most for a defensemen playing for the USNTDP. He also compiled 26 PIM. Johnson helped the USA win the Four Nations Cup with four points in four games (one goal, 3 assists) and was also a member of the gold medal winning Team USA at the 2005 International Ice Hockey Federation World U-18 Championships.

Johnson had a strong 2005-06 season for the USNTDP U-18 Team. In 47 games he tallied 49 points (16 points, 33 assists). He led all defensemen in goals, assists, points, and PIM with 88. His 1.04 points per game was second best on the team and best for a defenseman. Johnson played in 20 of 22 games against NCAA teams. He led all defensemen in points against the NCAA teams with 15 (six goals, nine assists). He was a member of Team USA at the World Junior Hockey Championships and played a strong tournament, finishing in the top 10 highest scoring defensemen with four points (one goal, three assists).

Johnson made his NCAA debut with the University of Minnesota in 2006, His play was solid throughout, and he helped make the Golden Gophers one of the top teams in the country. His superb two-way play saw him record 24 points in 41 games, as well as contribute steady defense. Johnson was Team USA's top defenseman at the World Juniors, leading his squad to a bronze medal. http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospect/erik_johnson

Erik Johnson played in 79 games this season, scoring 10 goals, while adding 29 assists and 39 points for the St. Louis Blues. Johnson was also credited with the game-winning goal on April 5 during the final series of the season. http://blues.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8473446

Defenseman Erik Johnson seems to be the chameleon of Team USA: Look once and see one thing. Look again and he is something else.

Even his teammates don't know quite what to make out of him sometimes.

David Backes, a teammate of Johnson's in St. Louis and now on Team USA, was talking Thursday about how the lanky 21-year-old looks like a shy, quiet kid at first glance. Yet, that assumption is stone-cold wrong, Backes insists.

"He's always got something to say, and he is probably always lying because he's compulsive and pathological in that area," Backes told NHL.com, throwing out a smile as he dished dirt on his good buddy.

So you can just imagine how confused some of the guys on the American team who don't see Erik Johnson on a regular basis are at times. http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=519000