Wyatt Henry Johnston[1] (born May 14, 2003) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who plays for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Johnston was selected in the first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by the Stars with the 23rd overall pick.

Wyatt Johnston
Born (2003-05-14) May 14, 2003 (age 21)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Right
NHL team Dallas Stars
NHL draft 23rd overall, 2021
Dallas Stars
Playing career 2022–present

Playing career

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Junior

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Johnston finished his career with the Toronto Marlboros in the GTHL in 2018–19. He put up 48 goals and 46 assists for 94 points during his final year with the team.

He was drafted sixth overall by the Windsor Spitfires during the 2019 OHL Priority Selection draft. In his rookie season in 2019–20, Johnston scored his first OHL goal on September 21, 2019 against the Peterborough Petes in a 9–6 victory. Johnston went on to score 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points in 53 games in his rookie year before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In returning to the Windsor Spitfires for the 2021–22 season, Johnston led the league and the entire CHL in scoring in the regular season with 124 points in 68 regular season games. He also led the OHL in playoff points, registering 41 through 25 games, before losing in the finals in a game 7 defeat to the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Dallas Stars

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Johnston was drafted 23rd overall in the first round by the Dallas Stars during the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Stars on September 28, 2021.[2] He put up 2 goals and 1 assist in the Dallas Stars Prospects Tournament.

Johnston made his NHL debut in the Stars' first game of the season on October 13, 2022, against the Nashville Predators. He became the first teenager to play for the Stars since Miro Heiskanen in 2018 and the first North American teenager to do so since 1994 (Jamie Langenbrunner and Todd Harvey). Johnston scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game against Juuse Saros.[3] On March 4, 2023, Johnston broke the record for most goals by a teenager in Stars' history when he scored his 15th goal of the season (and his career) against the Colorado Avalanche.[4] Johnston finished the season with 24 goals and 17 assists for 41 points in 82 games.

On March 5, 2024, Johnston scored his first career hat-trick in a 7–6 win against the San Jose Sharks.[5]

Personal life

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Johnston was born in Toronto, Ontario on May 14, 2003,[6] to Margot Fulcher and Chuck Johnston. He has two older siblings, Austin and Quinn. Growing up in Toronto, Wyatt attended Glenview Senior Public School for his middle school years. In high school, he attended Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute.[7] During his rookie season with the Dallas Stars, Johnston lived in the house of teammate Joe Pavelski.[8]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Bold indicates led league

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2018–19 Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA 73 48 46 94 8
2018–19 Toronto Marlboros GTHL U16 33 23 13 36 4
2019–20 Windsor Spitfires OHL 53 12 18 30 8
2021–22 Windsor Spitfires OHL 68 46 78 124 26 25 14 27 41 12
2022–23 Dallas Stars NHL 82 24 17 41 20 19 4 2 6 4
2023–24 Dallas Stars NHL 82 32 33 65 38 19 10 6 16 2
NHL totals 164 56 50 106 58 38 14 8 22 6
Medal record
Representing   Canada
Ice hockey
World U18 Championships
  2021 United States

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2019 Canada Red U17 5th 5 2 3 5 14
2021 Canada U18   7 2 2 4 4
Junior totals 12 4 5 9 18

Awards and honours

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Award Year
OHL
First All-Star Team 2022 [9]
Red Tilson Trophy 2022 [10]
Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy 2022
William Hanley Trophy 2022
CHL Top Scorer Award (124) 2022
NHL
NHL All-Rookie Team 2023 [11]

References

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  1. ^ Yousuf, Saad. "The stories behind Dallas Stars player nicknames: Del Taco, Nacho, Sammy Sosa and more". The Athletic. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  2. ^ "Stars sign forward Wyatt Johnston to three-year, entry-level contract". Dallas Stars. September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  3. ^ Baird, Taylor (October 13, 2022). "Wyatt Johnston Scores First NHL Goal". Defending Big D.
  4. ^ "Reigning OHL MVP Johnston makes Dallas Stars history". Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  5. ^ Goldman, Chelena. "Stars rally from 3 down late in 3rd, defeat Sharks in OT". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  6. ^ "Wyatt Johnston". Elite Prospects. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  7. ^ Wheeler, Scott (August 2, 2021). "How Wyatt Johnston became a Stars first-round pick without a draft year". The Athletic. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  8. ^ DeFranks, Matthew (October 12, 2022). "Stars rookie Wyatt Johnston found a new place to live: Joe Pavelski's house". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  9. ^ "OHL announces 2021-22 All-Star and All-Rookie Teams". Ontario Hockey League. June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  10. ^ "Wyatt Johnston named OHL's most outstanding player". Dallas Stars. June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  11. ^ "NHL announces 2022-23 All-Rookie Team". NHL.com. June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Dallas Stars first round draft pick
2021
Succeeded by