Johnson's confidence helping him grow as No. 1 center for Blue Jackets

CHICAGO -- Kent Johnson always has had a lot of confidence in his abilities.

"I think maybe midget or juniors was when I started to really get it," the Columbus Blue Jackets rookie forward said. "I got the confidence when I started working really hard and focusing all my effort on the game. You've done everything you can, so you feel pretty ready for the game. I think it's all in the preparation that makes the confidence."
That confidence has come in handy for the 20-year-old, as he's moved up the Columbus lineup and now is top-line center between two veterans, left wing Johnny Gaudreau, his childhood idol, and right wing Patrik Laine.
Johnson has been a bright spot during a disappointing and injury-riddled season for the Blue Jackets. The No. 5 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, Johnson has 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) in 30 games entering Columbus' game against the Buffalo Sabres at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, SN NOW).
Johnson started the season playing right wing, usually on the second or third line. But he joined Gaudreau and Laine (the three also played together during the preseason) when Columbus played the Dallas Stars on Dec. 19.
Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen said one element to Johnson's success is he loves having the puck.
"That's something that's hard to teach guys at this level, and he's confident with it," Larsen said. "But there's also the game away from the puck. He's played a lot of wing. We have him back at center here just to take a look here and we'll see how he does. But with that comes a lot of responsibility and who you're playing with and against.
"Some nights are better than others, but ... he's a confident player and that's a skill that's hard to teach a lot of guys. He wants the puck, he wants it at important times and he's able to execute and do things a lot of guys can't."
Gaudreau said Johnson has looked comfortable in every situation.
"He's a quick learner," Gaudreau said. "He's a young kid but he's playing in the best League in the world and playing well for us. He's top line, top center for a reason. Hopefully he can keep pushing. He's getting better every day and it's fun to watch him."
Johnson has enjoyed getting used to the NHL. He's playing with one childhood idol in Gaudreau -- he gave up his No. 13 to Gaudreau after he signed a seven-year, $68.25 million contract ($9.75 million average annual value) with Columbus on July 13. Johnson is wearing No. 91 now.

He played against another idol, Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane, when Chicago defeated Columbus 5-2 at United Center on Friday. Kane, whose Blackhawks will play the Blue Jackets in Columbus on New Year's Eve, said Johnson is "a special player."
"He's early in his career and he had a great World Juniors last year and obviously has a ton of skill," Kane said. "I'm sure he'll be a good player for a long time. High pick, highly touted. He's got a bright future."
Johnson was outstanding playing for Canada at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship. He was part of the team when the tournament began in December 2021 but subsequently was canceled Dec. 29 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. When it was replayed in August, he had nine points (three goals, six assists) in seven games.
Canada coach Dave Cameron said Johnson being back for the August tournament made his experience easier.
"To know Kent was in the mix from the get-go and he was going to come and play in the summer, probably relief is the best word to describe it," Cameron said. "He knew he was one of those 14 players that were coming back who had dipped the toe in, because we'd played some games at the start of the tournament at Christmas and just a really big relief for me to have him and knowing he was going to play a big role."
Between his World Juniors stints, Johnson finished his sophomore season at the University of Michigan with 37 points (eight goals, 29 assists) in 32 games and had five points (one goal, four assists) for Canada at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blue Jackets on April 8 and finished his season with three assists in nine NHL games.
All that hockey helped make Johnson a better player when he returned to the WJC, which he ended with the winning goal in Canada's 3-2 overtime victory against Finland in the gold-medal game.
"He just had matured in games, had grown and grown," Cameron said. "He was probably a lot more comfortable in terms of playing on the inside of the ice, getting into those areas inside and just probably an overall more mature person. When you're mature, you're better able to ride the momentum shifts in a game or certainly in the short tournament."
Johnson will have his growing pains in the NHL. But he's learning a lot and is confident he'll keep improving.
"Time is so valuable," he said. "The more ice time you get the more mistakes and plays you're making. It's just so valuable for a young guy like me. So it's awesome.
"I'm just trying to find my way, learn the League and just keep getting better every day."