March 25, 2007
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Johnson Leaves Wolverines
CHN Staff Report
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In a move that surprises no one in college hockey, Michigan sophomore defenseman Jack Johnson left the Wolverines to sign with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings. It's expected he will make his NHL debut Tuesday night.
Johnson, who gives up his final two years of collegiate eligibility, left the team immediately following its 8-5 loss to North Dakota on Saturday in the NCAA West Regional semifinal.
Johnson, a former first-round pick, third overall, of the Carolina Hurricanes, had his rights traded to the Kings last year.
"I thought I was ready for a new challenge," said Johnson to the Michigan Daily. "With all my close friends, the seniors, gone now and everything, I thought it was time for me to pretty much go for a new challenge."
One of the reasons the Hurricanes traded Johnson was its frustration over not signing him last summer. The team pushed hard, but Johnson chose to stay in school. He was traded with Oleg Tverdovsky to Los Angeles for Eric Belanger and Tim Gleason.
Johnson, the CCHA's Best Offensive Defenseman winner this season, had 16 goals and 39 points and was a plus-26.
"I have no regrets about coming here, being a Wolverine," Johnson told the paper. "I'm still proud as hell to be one."
