Johnson makes Blues take note

DETROIT – Erik Johnson is starting to realize how hectic life can be when you’re a potential pro hockey player.

It’s something he’ll have to get used to, considering experts expect him to be selected No. 1 overall by the St. Louis Blues in today’s NHL draft in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Johnson, an 18-year-old defenseman who spent the past two seasons playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program, has participated in several interviews with U.S. and Canadian media outlets. He has written a diary about his recent experiences for www.usahockey.com

He has traveled to Toronto for the NHL combine and to Colorado to accept the Bob Johnson Award for excellence in international competition.

That’s what you have to do when NHL general managers covet your services.

Johnson, from Bloomington, Minn., had been considered a potential top-10 pick when he joined the U.S. national team program two years ago.

His stock started to rise, though, when he became a leader on the under-18 squad this season. He amassed 16 goals and 33 assists in 47 games, then had a breakout performance – a goal, three assists and 18 penalty minutes – playing for the United States in the world junior championships.

“It was a tournament where Johnson really solidified himself as one of the top two or three picks,” said Red Wings general manager Ken Holland.

After world juniors, Johnson shot past talented forwards such as Phil Kessel, Jonathan Toews and Jordan Staal into NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings as the No. 1 North American skater.

“At the beginning of this year, people said I had a chance to be a pretty high draft pick, and I was like, ‘Yeah, OK,’ ” Johnson said. “At the world juniors, I started to get a little recognized by my play. I worked really hard at it. I know I still have to keep working hard.”