University of Minnesota Athletics
Making Her Mark: Senior Forward Krista Johnson
1/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
“I think that we are such a talented team,” Johnson said. “Even though we lost our Olympians, I think we have so much potential. We just need to keep working together as a team and continue to work hard. We just need to take it one game at a time. I don’t want to look too far ahead, but we need to peak at the right time. I just want us to keep it going and hopefully win in another national championship. I believe in us.”
Prior to the break, Johnson was the hottest Gopher, scoring four points in the last two series against North Dakota and Minnesota State. KJ, as she’s affectionately called by her teammates, scored a career high two goals in the 4-0 win over UND (12/2). She followed with the game-winning assist in the 1-0 win over MSU (12/9) and the game-tying assist in the 1-1 draw the next day (12/10).
Johnson, who started the season on the fourth line is now taking regular shifts and is playing on the second and third lines. Johnson, standing at 5-10, is centering her line of Jenelle Philipczyk and Becky Wacker. The Blaine, Minn., native, is determined to keep her recent success going even after the break. “I didn’t want the break to come,” Johnson added. When you have something good going, you don’t want to stop. I just tried to use the break and get enough ice time and work hard and hopefully I can keep it going.”
In her four-year career, Johnson has played as both a forward and a defenseman. Fullfilling the role as a team player, Johnson has played wherever her team needed her the most. In her freshman year, Johnson played sparingly as a forward before playing defense in her sophomore year. Last year, Johnson also played defense, but suffered an elbow injury that sidelined her for five games. Although Johnson likes both positions for different reasons, she is finding the forward position to her liking.
“I think that fact that I’m playing forward right now instead of defenseman, I have a completely different mindset,” Johnson said. “I just go out there and go. I don’t have to think as much. When I play defense, I’m such a defensive defenseman and I don’t think about scoring. Whereas, being a forward, I can be creative and I don’t have as many restrictions. Along with that, the scoring right now is just coming natural. I’m trying to work hard with my teammates as well as being at the right place at the right time.”
As Johnson approaches her final semester of her career, her attention will soon turn toward graduating in May. Johnson will complete her course work and will graduate with a degree in communications and a minor in management. Although she’s not exactly sure what she wants to do with her career, she knows that she still wants to be involved with hockey.
“I don’t know if I could ever just stop because I love the game,” Johnson said. “I think I’d like to go and get a job first and then see what happens. Maybe help out with coaching somewhere, but just want to still be involved with the sport.” For now, she’s content playing her own game and trying to get the most out of her college playing days.
She’s had a lot of support over her four years with the Gophers. Providing one of the largest fan clubs in the Gopher stands, Johnson is thankful for all of her local support. Her parents, Richard and Deborah, are at nearly every game and it has filtered through her extended family as well.
“I have a big fan club I guess,” says the modest Johnson. “My parents have always been so supportive. It’s nice to have them so close so they can watch me play and my uncle and my aunt before she passed away. My sister too has been able to come. It’s nice to be close to home.”
Johnson’s fan base watched her win two national championships, something that she says won’t really sink in until after she’s done. Playing in over 115 games, Johnson hasn’t really started thinking about what she and her teammates have accomplished the past four years. She just knows that she wants to do what she can to help the team and make a run at another championship.
“Winning the championships was amazing,” Johnson said. “It’s something that no one can ever take away from me. I think that when I leave and I’m older, I can look back at it and think wow, I was a part of that. Going back to back doesn’t happen very often and I think it’s the ultimate accomplishment.” When looking at this year’s senior class, you’d think that they would say it’s has been a successful four years: Two national championships, and dominating the WCHA with two WCHA regular season championships and tournament championships in back-to-back years. However, for senior Krista Johnson, she’s not ready for her career to end just yet. For Johnson, she’s just not that satisfied and has a lot to prove not only individually, but as a member of the Gopher women’s hockey team.
“I think that we are such a talented team,” Johnson said. “Even though we lost our Olympians, I think we have so much potential. We just need to keep working together as a team and continue to work hard. We just need to take it one game at a time. I don’t want to look too far ahead, but we need to peak at the right time. I just want us to keep it going and hopefully win in another national championship. I believe in us.”
Prior to the break, Johnson was the hottest Gopher, scoring four points in the last two series against North Dakota and Minnesota State. KJ, as she’s affectionately called by her teammates, scored a career high two goals in the 4-0 win over UND (12/2). She followed with the game-winning assist in the 1-0 win over MSU (12/9) and the game-tying assist in the 1-1 draw the next day (12/10).
Johnson, who started the season on the fourth line is now taking regular shifts and is playing on the second and third lines. Johnson, standing at 5-10, is centering her line of Jenelle Philipczyk and Becky Wacker. The Blaine, Minn., native, is determined to keep her recent success going even after the break. “I didn’t want the break to come,” Johnson added. When you have something good going, you don’t want to stop. I just tried to use the break and get enough ice time and work hard and hopefully I can keep it going.”
In her four-year career, Johnson has played as both a forward and a defenseman. Fullfilling the role as a team player, Johnson has played wherever her team needed her the most. In her freshman year, Johnson played sparingly as a forward before playing defense in her sophomore year. Last year, Johnson also played defense, but suffered an elbow injury that sidelined her for five games. Although Johnson likes both positions for different reasons, she is finding the forward position to her liking.
“I think that fact that I’m playing forward right now instead of defenseman, I have a completely different mindset,” Johnson said. “I just go out there and go. I don’t have to think as much. When I play defense, I’m such a defensive defenseman and I don’t think about scoring. Whereas, being a forward, I can be creative and I don’t have as many restrictions. Along with that, the scoring right now is just coming natural. I’m trying to work hard with my teammates as well as being at the right place at the right time.”
As Johnson approaches her final semester of her career, her attention will soon turn toward graduating in May. Johnson will complete her course work and will graduate with a degree in communications and a minor in management. Although she’s not exactly sure what she wants to do with her career, she knows that she still wants to be involved with hockey.
“I don’t know if I could ever just stop because I love the game,” Johnson said. “I think I’d like to go and get a job first and then see what happens. Maybe help out with coaching somewhere, but just want to still be involved with the sport.” For now, she’s content playing her own game and trying to get the most out of her college playing days.
She’s had a lot of support over her four years with the Gophers. Providing one of the largest fan clubs in the Gopher stands, Johnson is thankful for all of her local support. Her parents, Richard and Deborah, are at nearly every game and it has filtered through her extended family as well.
“I have a big fan club I guess,” says the modest Johnson. “My parents have always been so supportive. It’s nice to have them so close so they can watch me play and my uncle and my aunt before she passed away. My sister too has been able to come. It’s nice to be close to home.”
Johnson’s fan base watched her win two national championships, something that she says won’t really sink in until after she’s done. Playing in over 115 games, Johnson hasn’t really started thinking about what she and her teammates have accomplished the past four years. She just knows that she wants to do what she can to help the team and make a run at another championship.
“Winning the championships was amazing,” Johnson said. “It’s something that no one can ever take away from me. I think that when I leave and I’m older, I can look back at it and think wow, I was a part of that. Going back to back doesn’t happen very often and I think it’s the ultimate accomplishment.”
