I really enjoy watching Alec Johnson play. He continues to do a bit of everything on the ice and help his team in all situations. His defensive work on the penalty kill is a real standout point, the way he is able to clog passing lanes and use his stick to disrupt passes and create turnovers to quickly turn into offensive chances is uncanny. He takes his backchecking very seriously as well, usually the first to come back and pressure the puck as the carrier bears down on the defense. He throws his body around despite being outmatched physically and does his best to knock guys off the puck and win back possession. Offensively he is very shift with the puck on his stick, quickly darting into gaps in the defense as they open and driving towards the net. He lingers around the net waiting for second chance opportunities, he has a real scorer’s instinct and converts on his chances. He is constantly able to make plays and when his team turns to him for help, he often delivers.

Perhaps my favorite player to watch in this group, Alec Johnson was the heartbeat of the Thunderbirds offense over the weekend. Tallying five points in as many games, Johnson’s ability to get on the puck and make something out of nothing gave his team a fighting chance in each game. He used his speed well to close down players on the forecheck and he found with great tenacity along the boards to win puck battles and emerge with possession. His speed coming off the boards helps him quickly get into scoring position and he was able to fire pucks on net before the goalie was set and caused some chaos as a result of it. He has a good shot with nice power, and uses his body’s momentum to get a little extra on it. His stickhandling at pace was difficult for the opposition to handle, and he was able to unlock defenses and create plenty of chances off of his stick. His intensity never faltered and he was a constant catalyst whenever he touched the puck, and a joy to watch.

A diminutive and skillful forward, Johnson was buzzing all around the ice in this game for South Kent and was their best player. Throughout this game Johnson demonstrated quick feet and the ability to get to his top speed in just a few strides. He uses his skating to be a disruptor in the offensive zone, putting immense pressure and using well-timed stick lifts to gain back possession for his team during the oppositions breakout attempts. Johnson was also first on many loose pucks and really showed a proclivity to putting pucks in prime score areas, although he did have a few passes that ended up in the feet of teammates. Down low in the offensive zone, he showcased shifty edgework to get away from defenders and make more space himself. He was also a menace in front of the net, with one of his goals showing good body positioning to knock home a loose puck in the crease.