Johnson Signing with LA Kings

Jack Johnson, the No. 3 pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, has reached agreement with the Los Angeles Kings and is expected to sign with the pro team on Sunday night. Johnson will be forgoing his final two years of eligibility with the Michigan Wolverines.

It was a foregone conclusion that this season would be Jack Johnson’s last in a Maize and Blue uniform. After being selected No. 3 overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, his talent was almost wasted with each passing moment spent at the college level. Now, just one day removed from the end of the Wolverines season, Johnson has confirmed to GoBlueWolverine Magazine earlier this afternoon that he he expects to sign with the LA Kings later tonight.

In his two seasons at Michigan, Johnson rewrote the record book for a Michigan blue liner. In his inaugural campaign under the winged helmet, Johnson tallied a stat line of 10-22-32 with a +11 rating.

His 16 goals as a sophomore set a new Michigan sophomore record, and, despite only using two years of eligibility, Johnson sits in 8th place on the Michigan defensemen goals list, just 14 goals behind Steve Richmond’s Michigan record.

Along with his 16 goals in 2006-07, Johnson also set a new career high in assists (23) and points (39), all the while more than doubling his plus/minus rating to +26 in his final season in Ann Arbor.

As a result of his efforts, Johnson was rewarded with the CCHA's 2007 Offensive Defenseman of the Year Award as well as being named to the All-CCHA team as the conferences leading vote getter.

Johnson was the No. 3 overall draft pick of the Carolina Hurricanes, but his rights were traded to the Los Angeles Kings after deciding to return to college for his sophomore season. Johnson is expected to be in the LA Kings lineup against San Jose on Tuesday night.