Leaving his mark: Wyatt Johnston is finding success in Traverse City

Every game that Wyatt Johnston gets to play right now is a delight.
The Stars' first-round draft pick in the summer (23rd overall) was unable to play last season in the Ontario Hockey League because of the COVID 19 pandemic. He was able to log seven games in the Under-18 World Championships in Frisco, but he has been biding his time waiting for this year.

Just being on the ice for Stars development camp was a real joy this week. And now, playing against his peers at the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan, is an even bigger step up.
"I've been waiting since the draft," Johnston said. "I'm just so excited for this season, just finally being in the swing of a hockey season and playing games."
Johnston has looked great so far. He had a goal and an assist in a 5-3 loss for the Stars against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday in their second game of the tournament. He fired three shots on goal, had several great scoring chances and definitely looked like he belonged on the ice.
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"He's in a good spot in his career," Stars general manager Jim Nill said before the tournament. "He's got very good skills. He's shown that. He's also a very responsible player. He's got a lot of tools to work with. We just think he's a very well-rounded player that has a lot of upside."
Johnston is already showing that. The 6-foot-1, 178-pound center spent most of last season working out at his home in Toronto. Because the league was shut down, he dug in and really worked on physical fitness, diet and strength. The result was that when he did get back on the ice, he was able to do more things.
"For the whole time, I was just working out and training and trying to get better and just improve for when the games started," Johnston said. "Then, the overall experience of being at the U18 tournament was pretty special, and ultimately winning gold was an amazing experience."
Likewise, getting to slip on a Stars uniform and meet future teammates was a treat, he said. While the prospects worked out at development camp in Frisco, the NHL players were in the next dressing room. Veterans like Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin were saying "Hi" and looking on.
Add that to meeting the AHL coaching staff led by Neil Graham, as well as NHL head coach Rick Bowness, and the week has been special.
"Just being around everyone is my NHL moment," Johnston said when asked if he has had a moment when he realized he's part of the NHL now. "It's been amazing so far. I'm definitely trying to take it individually and take it a day at a time and learn every day. Just learning from all the guys. I'm one of the younger players here, so just learning to be a pro and take in everything I can from this experience."
So far, so good. Johnston had a goal in his first game and now has two goals and an assist. He has five shots on goal and is plus-2 in that span. Johnston just turned 18 in May and will most likely be headed back to the Windsor Spitfires to make up on the OHL experience he missed last year. Still, he has two more games in Traverse City and then will rub elbows with some NHL players at training camp and during the preseason.
When you mix that with the seven games at the U18s, maybe he's not so behind in his development after all. In fact, he seems to be in a pretty good place now that he's working out with the Stars and interacting on a personal basis.
"I like it because we get to know them and they get to know us," said Stars assistant general manager Scott White of the experiences for newcomers this week. "When you have players come in and meet the coaches, meet the veterans, that's important. They're making a connection, they're getting information and they're seeing that this is all real. We're in contact with them all the time for training and nutrition, but being here, it definitely makes it real. This is a great step forward for all of them."
Notes: Dallas is now 0-2-0 in the tournament with losses to Detroit and Columbus. The Stars will play Toronto prospects on Sunday (1 p.m. CT) and St. Louis prospects on Monday (11 a.m. CT). Riley Tufte continued his strong play on Friday, potting a goal and an assist with five shots on goal. In two games, he has three goals, one assist, 10 shots on goal and is plus-4. Dallas outshot the Blue Jackets 32-25 and has a 66-47 advantage in shots on goal in the tournament. Remi Poirier was in goal for the Stars and stopped 20 of 25 shots. Thomas Harley was minus-4 in the game, while Dawson Barteaux, Jacob Peterson and Ty Dellandrea were each minus-3.
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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika, and listen to his podcast.