Portland Winterhawks' Ryan Johansen First WHL Player Selected in 2010 NHL Entry Draft
Published on June 25, 2010 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, AB - Portland Winterhawks forward Ryan Johansen became the first WHL player selected in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft when the Columbus Blue Jackets used the 4th overall selection to pick the 17-year-old Port Moody, B.C. product this evening in Los Angeles at the Staples Center.
Ryan Johansen selected by Columbus Blue Jackets, round 1 - 4th overall
Ryan Johansen completed his rookie season in the Western Hockey League with the Portland Winterhawks, helping the team to a 48-point improvement in the standings from the previous season. The 17-year-old Port Moody, B.C. product finished second among all WHL rookies in points with 69, and tied for second in assists with 44 in 71 games this season.
Johansen joined the Winterhawks for the 2009-10 season and played a huge role in the revival of the Portland franchise. A big-bodied center, Johansen is an elite-level playmaker with great vision, great hands and terrific passing skills. His big frame and long arms enable him to protect the puck extremely well, and his ability to change pace makes him an elusive player for defensemen to corral. His intelligence and vision make him particularly effective on the power play. The former 7th-round WHL Bantam Draft pick also has the puckhandling skills and soft hands to beat defenders one-on-one, and a strong and accurate shot to make him a scoring threat.
"He's a big two-way centerman with really good passing skills and great vision," said Winterhawks' head coach and general manager Mike Johnston. "He's a player that can do a little bit of everything for you...he can kill penalties, he can work a power play, he's good defensively and he can create offense. He came in this year and I saw he was confident that he was capable of playing at the WHL level, and that confidence never wavered...he was very consistent right through the season for us."
Johansen played last season for the Penticton Vees of the BCHL, scoring five goals and 17 points in 47 games as a 16-year-old before making the jump to the WHL this year. Although he hasn't yet suited up for Team Canada at any level, Johansen did play in the Home Hardware CHL / NHL Top Prospects game in Windsor, ON, in January.
Did you know...Johansen models his game after San Jose Sharks' center Joe Thornton.
Western Hockey League Stories from June 25, 2010
- Ryan Johansen and Nino Niederreiter Selected Fourth and Fifth Overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft - Portland Winterhawks
- Seven WHL Players selected in 1st Round of 2010 NHL Draft - WHL
- Prince George Cougars Forward Brett Connolly Goes Sixth Overall to Tampa Bay in 2010 NHL Entry Draft - Prince George Cougars
- Portland Winterhawks' Ryan Johansen First WHL Player Selected in 2010 NHL Entry Draft - WHL
- Hurricanes Release Tentative Schedule for 2010-11 - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- WHL Stars Look To NHL Draft - Brandon Wheat Kings
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
