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BCHL alum Kent Johnson named to Team Canada’s World Junior roster

Photo credit: Garrett James Photography

Former Trail Smoke Eaters forward Kent Johnson has been named to Team Canada’s 25-man roster for the 2022 World Junior Hockey Championships Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta.

After a four-day selection camp in Calgary, it was announced late Sunday night that Johnson, along with 24 others, made the final roster.

The 19-year-old forward is currently enjoying a productive sophomore season at the University of Michigan where he has 23 points in 17 games.

“We are excited to unveil the 25 players who have earned the opportunity to represent Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship, as we believe this group will give us the best chance to win a gold medal on home ice,” said Alan Millar, Hockey Canada director of player personnel. “We were impressed with the level of competition at camp and we knew we were going to have to make difficult decisions when it came time to name a final roster. Our players and staff look forward the opportunity to compete in front of Canadian fans again and we know this team will embrace the opportunity of wearing the Maple Leaf as we continue to build towards our goal of winning gold.”

Team Canada will now head to training camp in Banff, Alta. Dec. 14 to 19 and then play a series of pre-tournament games against Sweden, Switzerland and Russia.

Once the tournament begins, Canada will compete in Group A alongside Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland and Germany. Their first game is on Boxing Day against the Czech Republic.

Johnson played two BCHL season with the Smoke Eaters from 2018 to 2020. He piled up 61 goals, 86 assists and 147 points over 111 regular-season games. In his second year in the league, he led the BCHL in points (101), goals (41) and assists (60) and was named league MVP.

Last summer, the Port Moody, B.C. native was drafted fifth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Click here to view the full roster.