Tyler Johnson to sign NHL contract

Sources in Canada have confirmed that Spokane native Tyler Johnson, the Spokane Chiefs’ leading scorer, will sign a three-year entry level contract with the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning when the Chiefs returns from their two-game weekend series in Prince George. Johnson, a Central Valley graduate, is an undrafted free agent and is in his last year of eligibility in the Western Hockey League. It is likely Johnson would play for Norfolk, Va., in the American Hockey League next season, where former teammate Dustin Tokarski is the goalie. Johnson is second in the league scoring race with 105 points, four points behind Linden Vey of Medicine Hat. It is just the 15th 100-point season in Spokane history, the first since 1994, and is the 10th highest total. He has 47 goals after getting one in the 5-4 win over PG on Friday, to lead the league, and 58 assists with eight games to play. In four seasons, Johnson has 122 goals, which is eighth in franchise history, and 272 points, which is seventh. His 150 assists are 11th.