Brent Johnson is a smooth skating right shot defender who Neutral Zone has been tracking since September of 2017. At this point we feel Brent might be a long shot to be in the 2021 NHL Draft mix, but his overall game awareness and pucks skills make him a player that we will be watching during his first full season in the USHL
| Brent Johnson | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | R | D | 5’11” | 161 | North Dakota | 2021 | Frisco, TX | 2003 | Not yet rated |
Johnson is a Texas native who was originally committed to Arizona State. This season the 5-foot-10 defender has 11 goals and 13 assists from the blue line for the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL). He debuted with Sioux Falls at the end of last season after finishing up with Little Caesars 16U AAA team.
We had Johnson projected as a 2021 recruit for the Sun Devils, and that would carry over for UND.
NZ Scouts: “He often liked to pull the puck into his body and had a quick release to get the shot past the first shot blocker and on net. He registered an assist on Sioux Falls’ second goal that tied the game. On the play he kept his head up and towards the net, walked the offensive blueline, pulled the puck into his body, but instead of shooting he fired a pass backdoor to his forward, Citara, who buried it. Johnson also did a good job of going back hard on pucks in the neutral zone and quickly advancing them back up the ice to start quick transition attacks. Overall, he played with his head up throughout the night, but was most effective on the offensive blueline.”
USHL: Sioux Falls at Sioux City, January 17, 2021: Johnson had a good game on both sides of the puck for Sioux Falls but was especially good on the offensive blueline. The Arizona State commit made a number of nice moves at the point to create shot lanes for himself and get the puck to the net. He often liked to pull the puck into his body and had a quick release to get the shot past the first shot blocker and on net. He registered an assist on Sioux Falls’ second goal that tied the game. On the play he kept his head up and towards the net, walked the offensive blueline, pulled the puck into his body, but instead of shooting he fired a pass backdoor to his forward, Citara, who buried it. Johnson also did a good job of going back hard on pucks in the neutral zone and quickly advancing them back up the ice to start quick transition attacks. Overall, he played with his head up throughout the night, but was most effective on the offensive blueline. Grade: B+
USHL: Des Moines vs Sioux Falls, December 26, 2020: Johnson is a highly skilled defenseman for Sioux Falls that excels on both ends of the ice. In his own zone Johnson has a good active stick, uses his body well to eliminate options through him, and is responsible in front of his net. He also does a fantastic job on the breakout, staying poised with the puck and using small support plays to his teammates to easily break the forecheck and start the attack up ice. Through the neutral zone Johnson does a great job of skating up ice with the puck and his head up, always looking to zip passes to his forwards and then jump up in the rush. On the offensive blueline he is deceptive and does a great job of using his feet to find shooting lanes to the net. He scored a really nice goal in the first period by working the blueline and firing a hard shot through traffic that went just over the goalie’s pad. Overall, Johnson is a high end defenseman on both ends of the ice, but really stands out when the puck is on his stick. Grade: A
USHL: Sioux Falls vs Des Moines, December 2020: Brent showed phenomenal poise in this one. He was patient as a weakside defender, playing with his head on swivel to locate the high slot option or the Des Moines defenseman crashing backdoor. He showed quickness and power while defending the cycle and communicated well with forwards to work switches on scissor plays. His gap control was tight, his lateral mobility was smooth and he (again) he communicated well with the backchecking forwards on delays or escapes. Offensively Brent was confident with the puck, yet still made the easy play staying out of trouble. His point shots got through and he walked the offensive blueline with his head up and hands still. He was a dominant defender in this one.
USHL: Sioux Falls vs Waterloo, December 2020: Johnson was steady and consistent on the backend throughout this game for Sioux Falls. Johnson was calm and poised with the puck, making some really nice stretch passes up the ice. He used escape moves and head fakes to throw off defenders, creating passing lanes to his teammates streaking up the ice. In his own zone Johnson is simple but effective on the breakout, often making small area passes to his teammates in support that frustrated the forecheck for Waterloo. On defense he uses his stick and positioning well to eliminate time and space. Johnson is especially good at this while defending the rush, closing space before his own blue line so the rush doesn’t fully develop. While defending in his own zone, Johnson is almost always positioned in the right spot and does a great job taking away options. Overall, Johnson was solid and consistent defensively, playing a simple and effective game for his team. Grade: B+
USHL: Sioux City vs. Sioux Falls, November 2020: Johnson was solid in this game, as usual. He was good with his stick and angles, especially in the neutral zone and around his own blueline where he was able to break up a couple of rush attacks. Johnson was also good in his own zone playing solid defense and helping his team to break the puck out. The one thing that we didn’t see as much from Johnson this game was his offense. He didn’t stand out as much in terms of creating offense for his team, both in the offensive zone and when starting the rush from his own zone. He was solid in this game and tried to create but at times just seemed a little slow or hesitant. Grade: B
USHL: Fargo vs. Sioux Falls, October 2020: Johnson was one of the only players on Sioux Falls who was consistent throughout the night. Johnson was steady defensively and made many nice passes to get his team out of their own end. He was able to get up in the rush during the game and at one point in the second set up a very high quality scoring chance for his teammate off the rush, but the Stampede just couldn’t capitalize. Johnson looked calm in his defensive end, despite the constant attack from Fargo. Late in the game Johnson appeared to start getting frustrated and started to take more chances in an effort to make up for his team’s poor play. His frustration was understandable as Johnson was one of the few Sioux Falls players who played well. Grade: A
Little Caesars, Mission and Pens Elite at Buffalo Jr. Sabres U16 , February 2020: Plays bigger than 5’11” listing, quick elusive speed, good pivot, strong stick, physical on walls. Grade B+
MAHA U16 Showcase, September 2019: Brent has good size and has a solid skating stride as he uses it to lead the rush. He has good vision with the ability to make the long, accurate pass. He becomes an option in the offensive and tries to catch the defender sleeping and sneak down from the blue line. College: Arizona St.
Select 16’s USA Hockey National Camp, July 2019: Brent was one of the biggest All-Star Game snubs. We had him rated as one of our top five defensemen and he played that way. He hit in space with authority and used his long reach to poke pucks away and clog lanes in his end. He picked pucks off the wall with ease and started up ice with his head up. He made the correct read with the puck almost every time we watched and he stayed off his backhand. He carried end to end, made a short sauce pass to the middle and made perfect touch pass while skating backwards, cross ice. He caught almost every pass near him as he made everyone a great passer. His stick is long and he was able to make even more plays up ice. He led the rush with speed and confidence. He carried in and made a backhand centering pass for a tap in goal. He showed great vision along the offensive blue. Fired hard shots through and worked the high cycle. He moved in and out of the high slot and absolutely undressed a player that came out to defend him. He was an active shooter and created lots of rebounds for his forwards. He made backdoor feeds and had great keeps. Brent is athletic, fast, skilled and engaged. He will have to get a bit tougher to play against overall, for the next level but that is a small fix. College: Arizona State Grade: B+
NHL Midget Youth Cup, February 2019: Smaller defender that is athletic and defends with his feet. He has a balanced, smooth stride and does a good job of squaring-up forwards. He has good feet and edges, makes quick cuts, and has good reactions. He manages the puck well and gives passes to his teammates in space. He is smart and agile with the puck in his own zone and makes the first forechecker miss. He sees the ice well and constantly was looking to stretch the ice vertically with passes. High upside that is at the beginning of his development curve. Grade: A-
USHL Fall Classic U16, October 2018: Brent is a nifty defenseman with the puck on his stick. His head was up and he surveyed the ice. He made passed up the middle and threaded them through sticks. He has solid size and still a lot of room to fill out. His calmness and poise with the puck left us intrigued as to where his game can go when he fills out. As he gains experience he will be able to handle physical fore checks with more consistency. College: Arizona State
U14 Nationals, April 2018: Brent is a big player with a long stick and strong stride. Kept his gaps tight and stayed square to defend. Can dominate in the corners and his outlets were crisp and accurate. Has the ability to whip passes all over the ice as his hands are strong. His shot is very hard and he picked up two goals in the three games here. Puck mover with some grit. Has some tolls and a smart approach to build upon. High upside player.
Western States Bantam Invite, September 2017: Johnson is another mobile defender who uses tight turns and escapes all weekend to open up passing lanes and avoid the forecheck. He jumps up into the play and has an element of offense most shifts. Showed some touch passes coming out of tight areas that was impressive. 5 games: 1 goal: 2 assists