Q A with Gregg Johnson
Last season Boston University forward Gregg
Johnson notched eight assists in his first six games. He cooled down in
Advertisement
the second half finishing with five goals and 18 points. This season Johnson,
a junior, is hoping that the combination of veterans and talented underclassmen
will carry BU to a successful season. And he wants to score some more goals. The
East Windsor product is a player whose game is built on pure speed and must use
it to create scoring chances for his line. He’s also represented the United
States at the 2001 World Junior Championships. McKeen’s contributor John
Sanful caught up with Johnson the day after a tough loss against Merrimack College
as they discussed a number of topics, including Boston University, the 2001 World
Junior Championships, and his hopes for the future.
McKeens: Boston University has gotten off to a bit of a rough start (including
an upset win by Merrimack, 5-3). What’s your take on things?
Johnson: Things have gone pretty well but we are in a bit of a slump right
now after coming off the 1-1 tie with Vermont, which we really didn’t play
too well, and then we lost to Merrimack last night, which was kind of a shocker.
The first weekend in Wisconsin we played well, especially against RPI. We won
that tournament and got off to a good start then I think we started getting
a little full of ourselves thinking we were better than we are. I think we played
a little too confident which has cost us in the past few games. But it is very
early; it is tough to say how (losing to Merrimack) is going to affect us but
hopefully it doesn’t have a negative effect.
McKeens: A point is a point but the tie against Vermont must have been disappointing
given the fact Vermont was routed by the University of New Hampshire in their
previous game, 10-0?
Johnson: It’s like our coaches said, you can’t really compare the
two games because they used their two freshmen goalies against UNH and it was
a different team that we played. Obviously we were disappointed with the tie.
No matter what we want to win games and we should have won that game. Anything
other than a win is disappointing but again it is still early and we have some
younger guys, some freshmen (learning to play) at this level. It is a learning
experience and hopefully we will get better.
McKeens: Who are you playing with on a line?
Johnson: Right now it is myself, Kenny Magowan and Mark Mullen but throughout
the course of a season, coach Parker changes them a lot and I get to play with
a majority of the guys. We’re still trying to find the right chemistry
so there aren’t any set lines yet.
McKeens: You had five goals, 18 points last year. What do you do in terms of
improving yourself as a player, and what you’re hoping to contribute to
the team this season?
Johnson: Last year in the first half I (got off to) a great start and then
I went to the World Juniors. The second half of the season I wasn’t myself
like in the first half. Whether I was tired or in a little slump or whatever,
I can’t say. I’m looking this year to contribute a lot more numbers-wise,
especially in goal (output). I’m looking to score a lot more. The assists
are there but I am looking to improve on that as well. But definitely I am concentrating
this year on putting a few more pucks in the net and helping the team that way.
McKeens: How was it representing the US at the World Junior Championships last
year?
Johnson: It was great. It was unbelievable playing against a lot of those guys
who are in the NHL this year. It is a great experience playing for your country,
just doing anything for your country is a special thing. It was something I’ll
never forget. What a great opportunity to be seen by so many of the general
managers and scouts from the NHL. It’s the best of the best and I was happy
to be a part of it.
McKeens: Looking at the number of players from the United States drafted over
the last few years, and pretty high, it seems they are on par with (the rest
of the world) in terms of developing talent. What do you think is the success
in the United States in developing young players?
Johnson: I think the US has made strides in developing young hockey players.
In a lot of places like Minnesota and Michigan, New England, it is almost like
living in Canada because hockey is so big. You are taught the fundamentals when
you’re young and being taught by better coaches, which is helping a lot.
And the college level is as good a level as you’re going to get for amateurs.
I think college helps a lot. You don’t play as many games (as in junior),
but the coaches are top notch and so are the players. College hockey is getting
better, more guys are playing and a lot of Canadian guys are coming to college
so I think makes for more competitive games. The youth programs, better coaching
and an overall passion for the sport are getting more young people involved
in hockey.
McKeens: The players coming out of Connecticut and New York recently are quite
striking. There’s you, Ron Hainsey (Connecticut natives), Chris Higgins,
Mike Komisarek and Eric Nystrom (New York). Connecticut and New York seem to
be becoming hockey hotbeds.
Johnson: It’s great to see. I grew up playing with Ronnie Hainsey in Enfield,
Connecticut in front of 200 people. I played with Mike Komisarek for a couple
of years; and Higgins was my teammate on the World Junior team. They are all
great players and it is good seeing people from your area do so well. I think
it goes back to what I said earlier that hockey is becoming big (in the United
States) and a lot bigger than it has in the past so I think that helps a lot
as more kids are playing and more people are involved. It’s nice to see
that you don’t have to go very far to produce NHL players. And it is pretty
special seeing some of your friends go off and play in the NHL.
McKeens: When you were growing up what attracted you to hockey?
Johnson: To be honest, my uncle and older cousins played. They would come over
and we’d play in the family room when I was really young- two or three
years old. They gave me my first pair of skates at four and then my father got
me in the Learn To Skate Program. He used to play in a men’s league so
he taught me in mite and squirt hockey. Those were the building blocks for me.
My older cousins and my father were reasons for me playing hockey. When I saw
my older cousins playing, I wanted to be like them. I was in love with hockey
from the beginning. I could not get enough of it and it has taken me far for
which I am grateful.
McKeens: Who were some of the players you watched growing up?
Johnson: I grew up watching Wayne Gretzky and he is my all time favorite. He’s
the best ever so there was no one better to watch than Gretzky. I grew up a
Hartford Whaler fans and my favorite player was Ron Francis. He was a great
captain, a great passer and the best player on the team. He was the guy I watched
when I went to games. Those were the two guys I idolized.
McKeens: What is the key to your game and being successful?
Johnson: I think my speed is a very big part of my game. I try to use my speed
to my advantage in getting a loose puck and holding on to it. I am most effective
when the puck is on my stick. I try to make plays. I try to combine finesse
part and playmaking style of the game along with a rugged, in your face, battle
in the corners style. I think I can combine those both styles of play.
McKeens: You attended the Ottawa Senators development camp over the summer.
How was it?
Johnson: I had a great time up there for ten days. This is my first one. There
were about twenty ranging from a couple of players who had about twenty games
of NHL experience to guys like myself. It was good to get to know the guys you
might be playing with someday and seeing Ottawa and how the organization is
run and meeting the coach and general manager. I played really well so I am
pleased with myself. I wanted to make a good impression. It shows me what I
have to do and what level I have to be at to make the next step. I am looking
forward to doing it next summer.
McKeens: Is it fair to say that they put a premium on conditioning?
Johnson: It was a very, very tough camp especially being in the middle of summer.
I had not been on skates for over a month. I didn’t know I was going until
about three days before. We worked out once in the morning and skating for a
few hours in the afternoon. Camp was very demanding but I thought I showed what
I could do.
McKeens: Is that your plan after college to pursue a pro career?
Johnson: Oh definitely.
McKeens: In order to make that happen over the next few years do you think you
have to bulk up a bit?
Johnson: I do just muscle though. I am not going to be the biggest player on
the ice…
McKeens: You’re talking about adding mass as opposed to bulk?
Johnson: Right. I talked about my speed earlier and how it is a key part of
my game. I don’t want to get too heavy where it slows me down. I weigh
about 180 now and would like to play at 190 someday but as I get older that
will happen.
McKeens: At the World Junior Championships how important was it going up against
some of the European teams knowing that so much of their game is built on skating
and puck possession?
Johnson: You hear a lot about the Europeans but it is not until you actually
go up against them that you see firsthand how good they are. Their hands, passing,
skating is all so unbelievable. You think you’re a good player then when
you see those guys it gives you a true gauge on how well you’re doing.
I think I matched up pretty well. (The tournament) is good to see where you
are (as a player).
McKeens: Did you attend the junior camp at Lake Placid in August?
Johnson: No. The World Juniors camp is for (those born in) 1983 and 1984. I
was born in 1982; last year was my last time being eligible for the World Junior
Championship.
McKeens: College hockey has the most competitive teams all around and it does
not matter which conference you are in. Do you agree?
Johnson: Oh yes. The point was proven last night when we lost to Merrimack.
They were unanimously picked to finish last in our league and we were picked
to finish first but they came out and beat us. Granted we played awful but it
goes to show that you can’t take anyone lightly; every game is going to
be determined by one or two goals. College hockey is so balanced. That’s
another thing that prepared kids for the next level is the competitiveness found
here. You don’t get the teams that you beat 10-1. Every game is a battle,
which helps in the long run.