Stars prospects Wyatt Johnston, Logan Stankoven take home CHL hardware

The Canadian Hockey League on Tuesday announced the winners of the 2021-22 CHL Awards to commemorate "outstanding accomplishments and individual performances" from this past season. Among the 10 winners were Stars prospects Wyatt Johnston and Logan Stankoven of the Ontario Hockey League and Western Hockey League, respectively.

Johnston, 19, took home the CHL Top Scorer Award, presented annually to the highest scoring player in the CHL. The Stars' 2021 first-round pick led the CHL with 124 points (46 goals, 78 assists) in 68 games with the OHL's Windsor Spitfires. Johnston recorded 12 multi-point games, including five contests where he had three points or more.
"It was definitely a pretty special year especially with what's gone on in the past with COVID and missing a full season," he said. "It's been great to finally get back to playing hockey. Overall, it was a great season. There was a lot of success for me, personally, and as a team."

Johnston recorded the fifth-highest single season point total in Spitfires history behind Ernie Godden (153, 1980-81), Bill Bowler (135, 1994-95), Kelly Cain (133, 1987-88) and Blair Barnes (130, 1979-80), while his 46 goals were the most by a Spitfire since former Stars forward Steve Ott scored 50 in 2000-01.
The offseason will be a short one for Johnston, who is expected to attend the Stars' development camp in mid-July. The Toronto native says he already has his mind set on next season.
"The biggest thing is being able to get back into the gym to train and prepare for next year," he said. "It's ultimately not too long of an offseason. I'm already thinking about getting back into the gym and doing whatever I can to be prepared for next year."
Stankoven was presented the David Branch Player of the Year Award as the most outstanding player in the CHL. The 19-year-old led the Kamloops Blazers and ranked third in the WHL with a career-best 104 points (45 goals, 59 assists) in 59 games. Stankoven earned 28 multi-point games, including 18 in which he recorded three points or more.

Stankoven ranked fourth among all WHL skaters in goals and ranked tied for third in game winners (nine). The 5-foot-8, 170-pound forward recorded the second-longest point streak in the league last season, earning 39 points (17 goals, 22 assists) over 19 consecutive games from Dec. 8 through Feb. 19.
"It's a huge honor," Stankoven said. "It's huge for myself, and I think it goes farther than that. My teammates, coaches, trainers, family and friends played a huge role in helping me achieve this award. There are so many other great players in the CHL who could've won this as well."

Like Johnston, Stankoven's offseason will be a short one with the goal of earning a roster spot with the Stars in the fall.
"Next year, Kamloops] will be able to host the Memorial Cup, but for this upcoming summer, I'll have the World Juniors in August and [Stars] development camp and main [training] camp coming up," he said. "I'm going to try to crack the roster in Dallas. But if not, I'll be back for the Memorial Cup with Kamloops."
*This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.*
***Kyle Shohara** is the Digital Manager for DallasStars.com and writes about the Stars/NHL. Follow him on Twitter **[@kyleshohara*.