Wild Captain Johnson Commits to Notre Dame
November 4, 2010 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release
WENATCHEE, Wash. - TheWenatchee Wild announced today that defenseman Eric Johnson (Madison, Wis.) has committed to continue hiseducation and hockey career at the University of Notre Dame in the fall of2011.
Johnson will join his brother, Mike, at Notre Dame. MikeJohnson, who played one season of NAHL hockey, is a sophomore goaltender forthe Irish. He has a 4-0-1 record with a 1.97 goals-against average and savepercentage of .934 with Notre Dame this season.
"This was kind of my dream," said younger brother, Eric."Ever since [Mike] committed there it was a dream to play with my brother. Ilove the school, and they have a great reputation."
Eric's reputation as a shutdown defenseman is also great.
"Eric is looked at as a defensive stopper, who can move thepuck well," said Wenatchee Wild third-year head coach Paul Baxter. "He is an excellent penalty-killer who can shut downthe other team's best players."
He is also a natural leader, which earned him the "C" on hisjersey as the Wild's captain this season.
"He is compassionate and dependable for his teammates,"Baxter said. "He leads by example and knows the right things to do and say."
Johnson, 19, is a two-year player with the Wild. He recordedtwo goals and five assists (7 points) in 29 regular-season games in 2009-10. Hewas also plus-7. During last season's playoffs, Johnson scored two goals andwas plus-3 in eight games.
This season, Johnson has recorded one assist and is plus-2in 10 games. He was also selected to the NAHL's Top Prospects Tournament onWednesday, along with six of his teammates.
In addition to his brother, Eric will also join former Wildforward Mike Voran (Livonia, Mich.)at Notre Dame. Voran notched 24 goals and 32 assists (56 points) for the Wildduring its inaugural season in the NAHL in 2008-09. Voran, a freshman, has onegoal and one assist in six games with the Irish. He is also plus-4.
Notre Dame, under the direction of sixth-year head coachJeff Jackson, is currently riding a 5-game unbeaten streak and is ranked No. 11by USA Today/American Hockey Magazine and USCHO.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 4, 2010
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- Jr. K-Wings to Return to the NAHL Starting in 2011-12 Season - Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings
- NAHL Approves Kalamazoo, Michigan Membership - NAHL
- Wild Captain Johnson Commits to Notre Dame - Wenatchee Wild
- NAHL Assumes Operations of CSHL - NAHL
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