LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: JOHNSON’S JOURNEY
Oct 17, 2023
By Andrew Mossbrooks | @Mossbrooks48
Buffalo Sabres prospect Ryan Johnson has hockey in his blood. The Sabres plucked him as the 31st and final pick in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft, two picks and 29 years after his father, Craig Johnson, was selected by St. Louis in the 1990 draft.
Ryan benefits from bragging rights. He’s the first-round selection of the family, but expectations are set. Craig, now an assistant coach with the Anaheim Ducks, enjoyed a 10-year career in the National Hockey League, posting 173 points in 557 games playing mostly for the Los Angeles Kings, but also having stints with the Blues, Ducks, Maple Leafs and Capitals.
“I played against his dad in high school and he’s a great player who had an amazing career,” said Amerks head coach Seth Appert.
Craig’s professional playing career spanned 14 years. Ryan’s has just begun.
Johnson made his professional debut in the Amerks home opener, posting an assist for his first pro point. Less than 24 hours later, Johnson added two assists in the team’s improbable 5-4 comeback win over Toronto. He enters week two of the season tied for most points by a rookie defenseman to start the year.
“It certainly can help, but there’s a tough part to that too and I’ve seen it go both ways,” said Appert when asked about being a second-generation player. “I’ve coached a lot of players like that at both the college level and national program. Sometimes it can be a burden because there’s a lot of pressure and expectations that come with it.”
Ryan and Craig share a last name, but their journeys started vastly different. Craig grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. It’s as good of a hockey hotbed as you can find in the United States. His son spent his first 16 years in Irvine, California, where you’re an hour south of Los Angeles, an hour north of San Diego, and a cold winter day is a dreadful 60 degrees.
Still, Ryan found himself with a stick in his hands at a young age and blossomed. He spent the bulk of his youth playing for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks where he played for a coach that kept a keen eye on his development: his father.
“He was actually my coach in hockey up until I was 16 with the Jr. Ducks,” said the younger Johnson. “I think he was the best coach I played for. I may be a little bias.”
“When you’re the coach’s son it can sometimes be a benefit, but sometimes he’s harder on you,” added Johnson. “I think it was good for me, though. He kept me accountable. My dad would be there to help me try harder and encourage me.”
Dad’s encouragement led to Ryan’s success. The California native traded in palm trees for icicles, moving to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to skate in the USHL, the premier junior hockey league in the United States. There, Ryan was named to the All-Rookie Team with a six goal, 25-point season that culminated in the young defenseman lifting a championship over his head. That performance caught the attention of the Sabres, and it was that summer in 2019 when Ryan heard his name called to the NHL Draft podium.
“I remember getting my name called and I blacked out honestly. Everything happened so fast, but it was really cool, and I was super thankful to be there with my family. It was such a blessing. It was such a great experience. That will always be a memory.”
That was one of many hockey memories the senior Johnson has been there to share with his son. Ryan, on the other hand, was only six years old when Craig finished his professional career overseas.
“I have a couple memories of my dad when he was playing in Germany. I remember skating on a pond there. I remember one time the players would bring their kids out and hold them skating around the ice. I remember that and the fans would cheer.”
Though their paths had different beginnings, Ryan has done his part to place himself on the same course as his dad. Like Craig, he got drafted, then elected to play collegiately at the University of Minnesota. It took him 18 years, but he found himself in the North Star State his father grew up in, playing for the same university nearly three decades later.
Now, Ryan will begin his pro career in the American Hockey League. His dad played all of five games in the AHL during the 1995-96 season for the Worcester IceCats. Johnson probably wouldn’t mind a similar length of time spent here as the budding prospect knows he has the tools for the next level.
“I was really impressed at NHL camp of how well his game acclimated and how quickly he acclimated to being a defending, transitional defenseman,” said Appert. “He uses that great skating ability to defend and break up plays and to get started on offense.”
As coach Appert said, being a second-generation player can be a burden. Fortunately for Ryan, that doesn’t appear to be the case. The 22-year-old has a dad and a best friend, a father and a mentor, a great player and a great person in his life.
“My dad has given me so much advice and he’s been my biggest role model. Everything he’s taught me from such a young age to now. He’s invested so much time and energy into me. My dad is the best guy I can go to. He’s a great person and role model when it comes to just life, too. He’s cared for our family, sending us to schools and coaching a 9-year-old team with me on it. He didn’t need to coach that team or drive me to hockey practices and tournaments, but he chose to.”
“It can be tough, but it can also be a blessing in that you have that experience to draw from,” said Appert. “You have someone in your family that can be a mentor to you in that regard and help share experiences and understand what you’re going through both in good times and in bad times.”
“I’m so thankful. It’s a gift to have him as my dad. He pushed me because he knew I had potential and I’m thankful for that because I don’t think I’d be where I’m at without him.”