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Johnson Selected in First Round by Buffalo Sabres
6/21/2019 10:55:00 PM | Men's Hockey
VANCOUVER – Gopher Hockey's newest signed prospect is now its newest NHL Entry Draft pick as Ryan Johnson was selected in the first round (31st overall) by the Buffalo Sabres at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
The defenseman became the 21st University of Minnesota prospect to be selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft with the final pick of the first round on Friday night at Rogers Arena.
A native of Irvine, Calif., Johnson spent the 2018-19 season in the United States Hockey League and helped the Sioux Falls Stampede capture the 2019 USHL Clark Cup. An incoming freshman for the Maroon & Gold, he was named to the USHL All-Rookie Team and also earned a gold medal with the U.S. Junior Select Team at the 2018 World Junior A Challenge. Johnson skated in 54 regular-season games for Sioux Falls with 25 points (six goals, 19 assists) before adding eight points (two goals, six assists) in 12 playoff games during the Stampede's run to the Clark Cup. His father, Craig, played for the Gophers before a 10-year career in the NHL.
Johnson is the 11th Gopher Hockey player selected by the Buffalo Sabres and the sixth Maroon & Gold skater selected by the organization in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft, joining Casey Mittelstadt (2017), Thomas Vanek (2003), Keith Ballard (2002), Erik Rasmussen (1996) and Mike Ramsey (1979). He joins Russ Anderson as the only Gopher Hockey players selected 31st overall in the NHL Entry Draft – Anderson was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1975 (then a second round pick).
Additionally, the Johnsons are the sixth father/son duo in Gopher Hockey history to both be selected in the NHL Entry Draft with both players selected in the city of Vancouver. Craig Johnson was a second round pick (33rd overall) of the St. Louis Blues in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.
The University of Minnesota has now boasted a prospect in 18-consecutive NHL Entry Drafts and 45 of the last 46 events.
The 2019 NHL Entry Draft continues on Saturday at Rogers Arena in Vancouver with rounds two through seven.
Signed Gopher Hockey Players at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft
Round 1: Ryan Johnson (31st overall to the Buffalo Sabres)
The defenseman became the 21st University of Minnesota prospect to be selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft with the final pick of the first round on Friday night at Rogers Arena.
A native of Irvine, Calif., Johnson spent the 2018-19 season in the United States Hockey League and helped the Sioux Falls Stampede capture the 2019 USHL Clark Cup. An incoming freshman for the Maroon & Gold, he was named to the USHL All-Rookie Team and also earned a gold medal with the U.S. Junior Select Team at the 2018 World Junior A Challenge. Johnson skated in 54 regular-season games for Sioux Falls with 25 points (six goals, 19 assists) before adding eight points (two goals, six assists) in 12 playoff games during the Stampede's run to the Clark Cup. His father, Craig, played for the Gophers before a 10-year career in the NHL.
Johnson is the 11th Gopher Hockey player selected by the Buffalo Sabres and the sixth Maroon & Gold skater selected by the organization in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft, joining Casey Mittelstadt (2017), Thomas Vanek (2003), Keith Ballard (2002), Erik Rasmussen (1996) and Mike Ramsey (1979). He joins Russ Anderson as the only Gopher Hockey players selected 31st overall in the NHL Entry Draft – Anderson was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1975 (then a second round pick).
Additionally, the Johnsons are the sixth father/son duo in Gopher Hockey history to both be selected in the NHL Entry Draft with both players selected in the city of Vancouver. Craig Johnson was a second round pick (33rd overall) of the St. Louis Blues in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.
The University of Minnesota has now boasted a prospect in 18-consecutive NHL Entry Drafts and 45 of the last 46 events.
The 2019 NHL Entry Draft continues on Saturday at Rogers Arena in Vancouver with rounds two through seven.
Signed Gopher Hockey Players at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft
Round 1: Ryan Johnson (31st overall to the Buffalo Sabres)
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