By: Ken Oda, minotauroshockey.com
Minot, ND – As the Minotauros seventh season draws near it is time to start meeting the players heading to Minot for training camp. Camp opens September 3rd and the pre-season opens on September 9th against the Bismarck Bobcats at the Maysa Arena. We continue meeting the team with forward Blake Johnson.
Johnson comes to the Tauros from Michigan where he played for his high school team Cranbrook-Kingswood posting over a point per game for the last two seasons. Last year Johnson potted 13 goals and added 16 assists in 26 games, up from 10 and 16 respectively the year before. Johnson described himself as a “a fast skater with good hockey IQ. I like to go hard on the forecheck and pressure the opponent.”
Tauros Assistant General Manager Chris Lonke, was the first Tauros scout to see Johnson, “Blake is a smart player that can play wing or center. He comes from a strong Michigan HS program. He knows how to compete shift in and shift out.”
Johnson credited Lonke with recruiting him to Minot, “I decided to play for the Tauros after I was approached by Chris Lonke, who liked my style of play, and after looking into what a well established organization they were, I knew Minot was a great choice.”
Tauros Head Coach and General Manager Marty Murray thinks Johnson is an intriguing prospect, “He’s a big framed kid that skates well and can make plays at top speed. I think he’s just scratching the surface with his potential and I think he could really translate into a nice player.” Johnson’s goal this season is “to get stronger physically” and at 6’1” and 175 lbs. there is room to add to his big frame that Murray alluded to.
Come back tomorrow when we will meet Peter Johnson. Do not miss your chance to see Johnson and all of the Tauros in game action for the first time September 9th at 7:35 at the Maysa Arena when the Bismarck Bobcats come to Minot to open the pre-season.