First NHL goal a nice reward for hardworking Luke Johnson

Luke Johnson has worked his whole career for the moment that finally arrived Wednesday night in the Wild's 8-3 win against the Colorado Avalanche.
A Grand Forks, N.D. native who spent three years at the University of North Dakota, Johnson has yo-yo'd between the American Hockey League and the NHL since turning pro five years ago. A fifth-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013, Johnson has mostly played in the AHL, where he's been an effective offensive player each of the past three years.
In his limited NHL chances, he's been relegated mostly to bottom-six depth duty, a role he's taken on in a dozen games with Minnesota this season.

But Wednesday night, playing in his 30th NHL game and with his dad Steve, mom Nancy and siblings Ellie and Max in the stands, Johnson tallied his first NHL goal, cashing in off the rush on a feed from often Iowa Wild linemate Kyle Rau, in the first period, a goal that gave Minnesota a 2-0 lead.
"Obviously you grow up dreaming about that moment, and to have my family in tonight too, it meant a lot," Johnson said. "Definitely will remember this night for sure."
It was a bit serendipitous that the goal came from Rau. The two played a bunch together in Iowa last season and even earlier this year. Because both players have shuttled between Iowa, the taxi squad and the NHL roster this season, as a matter of maintaining maximum roster flexibility, each had been placed on waivers in the last week.
Each cleared, obviously, but don't confuse that trip through waivers as a sign that the Wild doesn't appreciate exactly what Johnson brings to the table.

"We've talked about his faceoffs and how good they've been, and certainly he just competes his butt off," said Wild coach Dean Evason. "We had him playing on the wing earlier in the year and he didn't look real comfortable at that spot, although he did very well, but he's very natural at center ice. It's been tough to take him out and obviously [it was] a great goal for him."
On a team that has struggled to win faceoffs all season, Johnson has been especially effective lately. On the season, he's winning just over half his draws, but on Minnesota's recent road trip to San Jose and Las Vegas, he won 22 of his 37 tries - a success rate of nearly 60 percent. On the road especially, when the coach doesn't have the luxury of matching lines, puck possession is critical, and Johnson's work in that department was crucial.
"It starts in the faceoff circle. He's been real good in that area," Evason said. "It's not a secret that our group as a whole has not been and we've talked about the wingers and defense and everybody helping out in that area. But his faceoffs have been very strong, and it starts there. His work, his grit, has been real good and he's a real good player."
During a three-game stint with Minnesota in February, Johnson played mostly wing. But since returning in mid-March, he's largely been back at his natural center position.
For a guy doing everything he can to stick in the NHL, that versatility makes him even more valuable.
"I think that's been an asset for him," Evason said. "We can bounce him around from wing to center, either wing."
His efforts certainly haven't gone unnoticed by his teammates, who appreciate a lot of the unsung work a guy like Johnson does to prepare and stay ready.
"Johnny, he works hard, he't got a great shot," said Wild forward Ryan Hartman. "I've been with him for a while, I was with him in Chicago. Not just on the ice, but he works really hard off the ice, he's always on the bike, always preparing for these nights, so I'm pretty happy for him to get the first one."
That hard work has paid off for Johnson, who is approaching his career high for games played in the NHL in a single season. With 12 under his belt already, he should have a good chance to surpass the 15 he played in Chicago as a rookie in 2018-19.
Especially if he continues doing exactly what he's doing now.
"I've been working my whole life for an opportunity like this," Johnson said. "Been taking it day-by-day, trying to work my hardest to stay in the lineup and have an impact every night, just doing whatever I can to help the team win."