Blackhawks Sign Stephen Johns
On Wednesday, the Chicago Blackhawks agreed to a two-year deal with Notre Dame defenseman Stephen Johns. Johns then signed a professional tryout contract with the Rockford IceHogs.
Johns, 21, was a second round pick by the Blackhawks in 2010 and just finished his senior year at Notre Dame. He posted 20 points (8 goals, 12 assists) in 40 games as an alternate captain in South Bend.
Listed at 6-3 and 230 pounds, Johns is a big hitter who is coming off a strong final year for the Irish. He could be in Chicago soon.
YEAH BABY!!!!
I wonder if he got an NHL contract and if he’ll get in a game this season?
Ebony? If he could be in Chicago soon, what do you think?
The term “soon” is relative. I, for one, hope the contract begins in the 2014-2015 season.
Interesting its a 2 year contract.
David – I wouldn’t mind if he got into one of the remaining regular season games – just to give him the experience, especially since the last 6 games are essentially going to be an mini training camp. But I can’t imagine he would be able to step out of the college game and be ready for the NHL yet.
Good News, I love our organization.
How can we find out if its 15/16 or 14/15 two year contract.
I was thinking we would sign both guys at same time. It didn’t take long to get him signed.
Tab- 215 lbs.??? 2 other sites have him around 235lbs.
No way he is 215lb.!!!!
Even if he’s “only” 215lbs – 6’4″ / 215lbs is still pretty solid. I think he’s a righty but played both sides for the Irish. I caught 3 or 4 games on ND games on TV this year and he moves a lot better than I thought he did, he knows how to hit, and it looks like he’s got a good slapper from the blue line.
Hawks have Johns listed at 215, Notre Dame has him at 233. Either way, he’s a big kid.
Man am I happy they got this contract done. This kid is the kind of beast D man the Hawks need.
Now, this might fill in the gap for Kane and Toews being injured!
Kane and Toews…
I get knocked down
But I get up again
You’re not ever gonna keep me down
hahahaha good one Morrison. I heard that song a couple of weeks ago at a Junior B game…classic!!
I love when I hear stuff like this haha it makes the blues of our allstars ease up a bit . I’d hate to take a hit from the this guy sounds like hell on skates.!!
I can’t wait to see what this guy can do at the NHL level. He’s without question one of the most ferocious hitters I’ve ever seen at the college level, lets just hope his game translates.
I’m very excited by this signing, but I also understand that I will probably not be seeing him in an Indianhead sweater before the 2015-16 season, and I’m good with that. I caught a number of ND games on TV this year and thought he played great in the OT loss to St. Cloud (except for the game-losing TO). He could help the Hogs now.
Blackhawk line combos are a special kind of hilarious today.
Sharp/Shaw/Hossa
Saad/Nordstrom/Versteeg
Bickell/Regin/Morin
Bollig/Kruger/Smith
So it looks like TT won’t be playing (aka not getting the 10 games) and World’s Best Center Michael Handzus will get to watch the game from the press box and be confused by how fast everything is moving. But that’s alright, the beat can continue not asking Q what’s going on with Handzus.
I have alway kind of liked Johns’ game but in that NCAA game that knocked ND out he was constantly taking foolish risks pinching and the last one he made cost ND the game. He needs time in Rockford, IMO.
Can’t wait to check him out in Rockford, he will be a nice addition to the Hogs. Future NHL pairing Clendening & Johns?
Those lines look actually look decent, Toews and Kane get to rest and Handzus can do crosswords or sudoku as long as he isn’t on the ice.
Any idea if Raanta will get more playing time?
I have been surprised for some time that Raanta and LaBarbera have not switched places in Chicago and Rockford.
Sharp/Shaw/Hossa
Saad/Nordstrom/Versteeg
Bickell/Regin/Morin
Bollig/Kruger/Smith
This lineup feels like Blackhawks via 2006,….Is Steve Passmore in net?
Some people said Johns was ready to make the jump this year. Results in college hockey really don’t do much to get me excited.
That being said, he has some serious physical tools and it should be interesting to see what they do with him.
Hilarious line up for tonight. Sharp not being tried at center is undeniably dense. Maybe they’re saving that card for the playoffs.
I think now, with all the temporary injuries, T is going to play about 6 reg. games. This was he can still play around 3 playoff games (for experience) and if we need/want/lights a fire, we can decide then and there… If Nordy can do what T is/at now, then it would be better to have all 3 elc yrs. Whatever way, T is going to really good and our 2 offensive lines are going to be sick while we have 81.
Coach Q is putting the lw & rw back together again. Take out that 3rd line when Tazer and Kaner are back.
SSHM: I doubt Clendening and Johns will end up together… both right handed…
I think long term Leddy and Johns could be a good pairing.
Clendening probably plays with Hammer in the short term and maybe replaces Seabs Long term.