1. BlueJackets.com: Was it weird jumping right into a team that has already played almost a whole season together?
Kent Johnson: "It's definitely a weird situation. I've never experienced that before, but the guys made it really easy. They were really great about it."
2. You obviously went the NCAA route to play hockey at Michigan, but what was your plan B post-graduation if you didn't end up continuing with hockey?
"I was taking sports management courses, but I don't even think I really had a plan B. Obviously, I knew if I went down that road, Michigan is a great spot and I know I could find something cool to do."
What made you choose Michigan? I know they have a great hockey program and tradition there, but what stood out to you other than the hockey?
"They kind of took care of it all. When I committed, their education was a big part of the decision, so it just kind of checked all of the boxes for me."
How does it feel being in the city of your rival college?
"It hasn't been too weird. It's funny seeing Ohio State stuff everywhere because I'm not used to that, but I don't think it's too big of a difference."
3. Do you have any other hobbies outside of hockey?
"I like to golf and I like to play basketball and shoot hoops."
Did you play either of those sports growing up?
"I actually played quite a lot of sports. I played baseball, basketball, soccer and hockey, obviously. I really like baseball so that's probably my second favorite sport."
Do you have a favorite MLB team?
"I mean, I'd say the Blue Jays. That's most Canadians' favorite team. I honestly haven't been following baseball too much recently, but when they are in the playoffs or are doing well I definitely hop on the bandwagon."
4. You have an older brother, Kyle, who also plays hockey. How has he been an influence in your life?
"He's four years older than me so we are really good friends, one of my best friends in the world. I don't think he's going to be home when I first get back, but it's going to be really nice when I get to see him. Normally I'm training with him, so that's pretty cool, too. He just finished his senior year at Yale and he plays on the hockey team there. I think he wants to keep playing, but he's not sure on where yet."
Have you ever played against him in college?
"No, sadly we haven't at any level. We played one exhibition game when he was in juniors and I was like 14, but that was about it."
5. When you were growing up outside Vancouver and had the dream to play in the NHL, did you have your eyes set on any certain team?
"I think I was kind of a realist in that sense, where you get drafted and it's pretty random at that point. Obviously, I was a Canucks fan growing up, so I definitely had some dreams of playing for them, but the odds are you aren't going to play for your hometown team. I think for me it was just a dream to play anywhere."
How did you feel when you ended up in Columbus?
"I felt good about it. I've heard great stuff about it. I think when I looked at the draft lottery, I thought, 'Yeah, Columbus seems like a good possibility.' So yeah, I was definitely very excited how it turned out."
