Stars select center Wyatt Johnston with 23rd pick in 2021 NHL Draft

With the 23rd overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Stars selected Wyatt Johnston on Friday from Windsor of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The 6-foot-1, 178-pound center ranked tied for 10th among OHL rookies in goals (12) and 14th in points (30) in 53 games with the Spitfires during the 2019-20 season.

Prior to selecting Johnston, the Stars traded the 15th overall pick to Detroit for the 23rd, 48th and 138th overall picks.
"I had a few conversations with some of the hockey operations [staff] with Dallas," Johnston said shortly after the selection was made. "Talking to my agent, I knew Dallas was pretty high on me. I knew there was a chance. I started to get a little bit nervous as the pick was being called. It was an amazing experience once I heard my name called."

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On the international stage, the Toronto native helped Team Canada earn a gold medal at the 2021 IIHF Under-18 World Championship (held at Comerica Center and Children's Health StarCenter Plano) with four points (two goals, two assists) in seven games. Johnston, 18, also skated for Canada Red at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge where he co-led the team with five points (three goals, two assists) in five games.
"He's in a good spot in his career," said Stars general manager Jim Nill. "He's got very good skills. He's shown that. He's also a very responsible player. At the Under-18s, because he hadn't played much when he made the team, the coaches asked him, 'You know what? The other guys have been playing more. They put him in a third-line role. He accepted that and played it well. He still got power-play time because of that. He's got a lot of tools to work with. His scoring will come on even more. We just think he's a very well-rounded player that has a lot of upside."
Johnston entered the draft as the No. 16-ranked North American skater.

Scouting Report (from NHL.com):

Intelligent player. An excellent skater with quickness and strength on his skates. He plays a full 200-foot game. Offensive tools to make plays in tight, off the rush or beat defenders one-on-one. Possesses a high hockey IQ -- reads the play exceptionally well from both sides of the puck. A versatile player who can contribute effectively in multiple roles and situations.
Rounds 2-7 take place Saturday, July 24 beginning at 10 a.m. CT and can be seen on NHL Network.
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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.