Our next mock interview is with Ryan Johansen, the Jackets’ top prospect who’s looking to crack the roster as a 19 year-old.
Q) Hi, Ryan. Tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a right-handed shooting centerman, born on July 31st, 1992 in Vancouver, BC. I played my junior hockey with the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL. I was drafted in the first round, 4th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by Columbus.
Q) Tell us about some intangibles you could bring to the Blue Jackets?
Playmaking ability is my biggest asset. I have good vision on the ice, which allows me to put the puck on teammates’ sticks through traffic. I’m also a good finisher in my own right, with a good wrist shot. I have been compared to Jason Spezza in terms of playing style, but I model my game after Joe Thornton.
Q) What areas of your game do you think you can improve on?
I need to be more physical. Since my days of Junior “A”, the consensus was that I had the necessary skill and ability to make plays, but I needed to use my body more. I’ve spent this summer builking up and I’m looking forward to become more of a physical player.
Q) Can you give us some examples of your hockey accomplishments?
This past winter I was a member of Team Canada at the World Junior tournament in Buffalo, NY. We made it to the gold medal game, where we faced Russia. We ended up losing the game, receiving the silver medal. I was named to the tournament all-star team.