After a season in which they went to the final in the Winnipeg AAA Bantam League, it was no surprise that 9 Winnipeg Sharks were selected in this year’s MJHL Bantam draft.
Defenceman Ethan Johnson was the second of those nine, as he was selected by the Pistons with the 11th pick in the draft. He put together a solid season with the Sharks, netting 16 points (3 goals, 13 assists) in 32 games played in the regular season. But the playoffs were a different story for Johnson, as he scored 8 points (2 G, 6 A) in 8 games.
The 14-year-old defenceman (soon-to-be 15 in early July) from Winnipeg says he was excited to get the call from Pistons Head Coach and GM Paul Dyck. “I was very surprised, but so excited to get selected by a great organization,” the Pistons’ 2018 first round pick said. “(Coach Dyck) said, ‘Welcome to the Pistons organization.’ I said, ‘Thanks, can’t wait!’”
Johnson says that he plans to try out for the Winnipeg Bruins of the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League this upcoming season. “I’m a d-man that prides myself on plus/minus and keeping the puck out of the net,” he said when asked to describe his game. “But I will jump into the play when the opportunity is correct.”
“Ethan’s skating and mobility are definitely two of his strongest assets,” Dyck said of Johnson. “With how the game is played today and the direction it is going, we were looking to select a defenceman that could push the pace from the back end. He can do that.”
As for his summer plans, Johnson plans to spend a lot of time relaxing at the lake, golfing, and preparing for next season by heading to the gym three times a week. “I plan on getting stronger, faster, and bigger,” he explained. “(All of this) is to increase my foot speed out on the ice.”
The Pistons organization would like to welcome Ethan and his family to our Pistons community!