Development camp kicks off important stretch for Wyatt Johnston

In a strange way, it might not be the worst thing that Wyatt Johnston is nursing an injury right now and might not be able to participate in on-ice drills at Stars Development Camp in Frisco.
The top prospect has had a hectic year and might have an even more frenetic stretch ahead, so taking a break might be needed.

Johnston recently helped the Windsor Spitfires to the OHL championship, capping a campaign in which he earned the league's Most Outstanding Player Award in the process. Coming up, he could be playing for Team Canada at the World Juniors in August, and then will likely play for the Stars in the Traverse City Prospects Tournament, would attend training camp and then would try to make the NHL roster in the fall.
WORTH A CLICK: [Familiarity helps Logan Stankoven in development camp / Development camp roster/schedule]
"It's hard choices, it really is," said Rich Peverley, the Stars' director of player personnel. "We all have a long-term plan. So, you have to put those things in a framework because you worry about burnout. Memorial Cup is usually done the third week of May and they went to the fourth week of June."
Johnston's in an interesting place. His season was shut down in the OHL two years ago, so he had nothing but gym workouts for months. That helped him put together the best year of his career, tallying 124 points (46 goals, 78 assists) in 68 regular season games and then adding 41 points (14 goals, 27 assists) in 25 playoff games. It was a year that helped many believe the 19-year-old might be able to make the jump to the NHL next season.
"It's pretty crazy, for sure," Johnston said of his path. "It's been a super crazy last two years with COVID and everything that's gone on. I'm just excited for the future."

Peverley said the Stars understand that the recent success and heavy schedule have been tough on the players, so the team's trying to make sure the development camp is paced properly. Mavrik Bourque was allowed to stay home, and if Johnston doesn't skate, that's fine. In the meantime, players are meeting with coaches and future teammates and getting to know the Stars as an organization.
"I think they go back and they see how close they are," Peverley said of the experience. "They're in our facilities, they're talking to NHL coaches, AHL coaches. You have these people around you who are helping guide a path for you that can show them that they're not that far away. And I think that should be in their mind - oh wow, I'm not that far away. They're all really good hockey players and they're here for a reason."
No one might be closer than Johnston. He made a huge step forward last season, and there seems to be the opportunity for him to make the NHL in the fall. Now, it'll be tricky. Because of an agreement between the NHL and the CHL, Johnston has to make the NHL roster and stay in the NHL all season. He can't bounce back and forth between the AHL and the NHL until next season.
He'll likely earn a stretch of nine games in the NHL, and then the Stars will have to decide whether to send him back to junior hockey, but that's a long way off. In the meantime, he needs to possibly prepare for the World Juniors in August and make sure he gets rest over the summer.

"He had a hell of a year in Windsor," Peverley said. "He pretty much carried the team the entire year and in the playoffs. He was outstanding. He's got a deceiving shot, he's very hard to check, he's elusive, he's a really smart player. I think he's got a really good chance to come here in the fall and make some hay and give himself a chance to make the team. I really believe that."
For Johnston, the past two years have been a whirlwind, so he's just trying to take it one step at a time. For now, he's excited about being able to watch and learn.
"I definitely watch, and I definitely see what it's like at the next level," Johnston said. "I know from experience just from watching what it takes, just the intensity. It's the best of the best in the world. I try to learn and adjust to do what I need to do."
Because the next step could be a good one.
"They have to be able to wrap their head around the fact they can't come in here and be scared," Peverley said of the group that includes Johnston, Bourque and Logan Stankoven. "Why all those players are so good is because they're confident players, they're very confident in their abilities and they're going to have the ability to come in and play with some very good players and see what they can do. They've earned that right. There aren't many players who have had the seasons they've had. You can go back and look at players who do that in the CHL, and that's pretty good company. I think this summer is important for all of them."
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.