Red Wings Central prospects - Stephen Johnston

STEPHEN JOHNSTON

Position:	Center
Shoots:	Left
Vitals:	6'2'' / 185 lbs.
Birthdate:	February 24, 1990
Hometown:	Guelph, Ontario
Acquired:	Detroit's fifth choice (181st overall) in the 2008 draft
CSS Ranking:	101st North American skater (2008)
Contract:	None (must sign by June 1, 2010)
RWC Says:	Two-Way Center

STORIES
June 26, 2008: Mini-Matthias poised for breakthrough?

AWARDS
None Listed

HISTORY
2007-08: Cracked deep Belleville team at age 17, two years after being picked 112th overall in OHL draft. Effectively served as fourth-line center as rookie (56-2-7-9, even plus-minus). More than doubled goal production in run to OHL final and Memorial Cup (21-5-2-7). Held off scoresheet in four games at Memorial Cup as Belleville went 2-2.

SCOUT COMMENTS
"His skating ability is probably his No. 1 asset. He's got a real good head for the game and he's a very good playmaker. He's not afraid to stick his nose in, but that's not his game, going out and running people. He's just a competitive player." — Red Wings director of amateur scouting Joe McDonnell (June 2008) ... "He's a lot like (Shawn) Matthias and we're just hoping we get lucky with him. He's the same type of player at a similar age." — Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill (June 2008).

SCOUT COMMENTS

"His skating ability is probably his No. 1 asset. He's got a real good head for the game and he's a very good playmaker. He's not afraid to stick his nose in, but that's not his game, going out and running people. He's just a competitive player." — Red Wings director of amateur scouting Joe McDonnell (June 2008) ... "He's a lot like (Shawn) Matthias and we're just hoping we get lucky with him. He's the same type of player at a similar age." — Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill (June 2008).

STRENGTHS
Excellent skater ... Savvy playmaker ... Flashes skill with the puck when given an opportunity to play on a top line ... Smart two-way player .... Hard worker ... Former rugby player who is willing to go into traffic to get the job done ... Will have good size when he fills out.

WEAKNESSES
Puck skills have been questioned, though he hasn't had much of an opportunity to show them off ... Physically immature after recent growth spurts and more muscle is critical ... One of those risky picks who will either pay off (Shawn Matthias, Darren Helm) or silently fade away (Steve Covington).

PROJECTION
Two goals and seven assists in 56 games do not exactly scream top prospect, so Johnston has to show what he can do with a bigger role in Belleville in 2008-09. The Red Wings and Bulls both envision Johnston having a Shawn Matthias-type breakthrough, so big numbers could be around the corner. Optimistically, Johnston projects as two-way third-line center in the NHL.

STATISTICS
			REGULAR SEASON					PLAYOFFS
SEASON	TEAM	LEAGUE	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
2007-08	Belleville	OHL	56	2	7	9	12	21	5	2	7	6
		Memorial Cup	4	0	0	0	0	--	--	--	--	--

The next wave

RWC's top 10 prospects (end-of-season)

01	D	Jonathan Ericsson »	Grand Rapids (AHL)
02	F	Darren Helm »	Grand Rapids (AHL)
03	G	Jimmy Howard »	Grand Rapids (AHL)
04	D	Jakub Kindl »	Grand Rapids (AHL)
05	F	Justin Abdelkader »	Michigan St. (NCAA)
06	D	Brendan Smith »	Wisconsin (NCAA)
07	F	Jan Mursak »	Belleville (OHL)
08	F	Cory Emmerton »	Brampton (OHL)
09	F	Dick Axelsson »	Djurgardens (SWE)
10	D	Kyle Quincey »	Grand Rapids (AHL)

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The next wave

RWC's top 10 prospects (end-of-season)

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