Photo: Russell Hons / UND athletics
Washington Capitals defensive prospect Brent Johnson, selected in the third round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, has entered the transfer portal for college players. Johnson most recently played for the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks during the past two seasons but his actual ice time was greatly diminished.
Mike McMahon of the College Hockey News tweeted the news earlier today.
Colorado College F Noah Prokop is headed to the transfer portal.
North Dakota D Brent Johnson (WSH 3rd, 2021) will also enter the portal.
— Mike McMahon (@MikeMcMahonCHN) March 20, 2023
Johnson was generally in the lineup for North Dakota for October and the early part of November, but after suffering from an illness in late November, had trouble getting back in the lineup. He played in the game of December 2 against St. Cloud State, but never played again in a regular season game.
According to Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald, Johnson was considered to have high-end offensive abilities and could generate scoring chances through his skating and stickhandling. However, his issues on defense left him at No. 8 on UND’s depth chart for the second half of the season. The Fighting Hawks played him in an exhibition game on New Year’s Eve but, as he had issues on defense, opted to go with a more defensive lineup.
For the 2022-23 season, Johnson played in 13 games, scored one goal, and recorded five assists. He was +5 for the season. He took 13 shots on goal and blocked eight shots. He took three minor penalties for the season. In 2021-22, he played in 23 games, scored two goals and recorded three assists. He had 14 shots on goal and had blocked eight shots.
NCAA Transfer Portal Player List
By Diane Doyle
Further Reading
Grand Forks Herald Sports — UND’s Brent Johnson and Jakob Hellsten Enter the Transfer Portal
Capitals College Credits: Mitchell Gibson Remains Undefeated, Brent Johnson Scores First Of The Season
Brent Johnson: 2022 Annual Review And Forecast
Capitals Select Defenseman Brent Johnson In The Third Round Of The 2021 NHL Entry Draft
Grand Forks Herald: Brent Johnson Headlines- UND’s 2021 NHL Draft Class
KVRR: Brent Johnson Excited to Hit the Ice in Grand Forks
UND Fighting Hawks News: Men’s Hockey: Brent Johnson Selected by Washington Capitals in Third Round of 2021 NHL Entry Draft
Elite Prospects: Profile of Brent Johnson
Last Word on Sports: Hockey NHL Draft Scouting Reports Prospects: Brent Johnson
Dobber Hockey: Prospects — Brent Johnson
Sioux Falls Stampede: Article on 2020 NHL Draft
Hopefully a new system, coach, and a new college will help him flourish.
Agree. Good move, he needs ice time.
Just can’t wrap my head around having a Cap named Brent Johnson who isn’t a goalie.
I remember waaaaaay back in the day, when the Caps and Devils each had a player named Greg Adams. Ron Webber, the old Caps radio guy, used to call them Cap Adams and Devil Adams . There’s two Sebastian Ahos and two Jack Hughes now. I’d kinda like to see the Caps draft defenseman Axel Sandin-Pelikka, who plays a similar game as our own Sandin, just to drive Locker and Beninati crazy.
Oh no, two axels and two sandins wrapped in one. Couldn’t handle it.
I saw a picture of a billboard in Buffalo that was cute:
Three things that are hard to say:
1. I was wrong
2. I’m sorry
3. Uko Pekka-Luukkonen
That’s a jaw breaker of a name, all righty
This Brent Johnson was actually named for the goalie. His family was St Louis Blues fans and Brent Johnson was the Blues goalie at that time. But goalie Brent had issues staying healthy and never cemented himself as a #1 so eventually ended up with the Caps as their backup.
Wow, cool. Thanks.
Do you know if the two Brents have ever met?
Not good for Brent. Hopefully a change of scenery is good for him and he can develop in a new situation. Sadly, not likely. At least one of their RD in that draft (Iorio) looks promising.