LA Kings Draft: Brent Johnson 2021 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

A defenseman for the LA Kings to target in the second round, Brent Johnson had a terrific rookie season for the Sioux Falls Stampede.

Selected in the second round of the 2019 USHL Phase I Draft, Brent Johnson made a seamless jump into the Sioux Falls Stampede lineup. The Dallas, Texas native has risen in draft boards over the last several months, and he would be a great selection for the LA Kings prospect pool in the second round.

Johnson led all rookie defensemen on Sioux Falls with 32 points, which were also second-most for rookie defensemen in the league. He’s a great two-way defenseman, and the best way to describe his game is “opportunistic.” He’s often the last defender out of the zone, but his quick read allows him to jump into a rush.

Defensively, he’s as sound as they come, logging a second-best +15 among all Sioux Falls skaters. He’s not the tallest guy, but he uses his reach to control the gap and will throw his weight around. Johnson will only get better as he physically matures.

Brent Johnson, D

Vitals

• Age: 18
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 165 lbs
• Shot: R

Rankings

• Ranked #41 by FCHOCKEY
• Ranked #38 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
• Ranked #41 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
• Ranked #59 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
• Ranked #93 by SMAHT SCOUTING
• Ranked #84 by TSN/McKenzie

Scouting Report

March 2021 – Brent Johnson has been a fast riser on boards throughout the season as he has played at such a high level in the USHL this year. Arguably the best defender in the USHL of any age, Johnson shows the ability to control the play at both ends of the ice. His defensive game is solid, building off his mobile base and ability to influence the attacker into going where he angles them. Johnson closes quickly and forces mistakes or just cleanly takes the puck away. His ability to turn play around without a second thought at times is impressive because it seems effortless. Moving up ice in transition is a strength of the mobile blueliner from Texas, whether it be with his feet or his passing, although he can get caught a bit going to the homerun play sometimes resulting in an icing. In the offensive zone, Johnson is quick with his thinking and has the ability to pivot and stay mobile along the blueline or pinching down the walls. He can freelance an bit with crafty puck skills and agile feet but he isn’t necessarily the blow-your-pants-off type of defender in the offensive zone, rather opting to just make the play look as simple as possible, often making it look easy to be productive. Dobber Prospects/Ferrari

Production

• 19-20: 6G, 28A, 32 PIM in 47 GP for Little Caesars 16U (Youth Hockey)
• 20-21: 11G, 21A, 42 PIM +15 in 47 GP for Sioux Falls (USHL)