Report: Stephen Johns Suffers Broken Arm, Out 4-6 Weeks
The Rockford IceHogs were eliminated from the AHL playoffs on Sunday, but defensemen Stephen Johns won’t be making the trip to Chicago – or Anaheim – to join the Blackhawks.
According to Scott Grodsky of WIFR-TV, Johns suffered a broken forearm during Sunday’s elimination loss to Grand Rapids. Before the injury, Johns was having a productive postseason for Rockford, posting seven points (three goals, four assists) in eight playoff games.
Johns struggled with a number of injuries this season, beginning with a concussion in late November. He was able to return to the lineup on Jan. 16 but suffered a knee injury three games later that cost him four more contests. Johns also missed time after blocking a shot in March.
Yikes! Lets hope this fellow has used up all his bad luck and the future reverts to something much more normal. It does however, as Tab mentioned, open the door for others.
Hopefully his luck turns around, cuz it seems all he has right now is bad… (luck that is…)
Tab, your last paragraph is important information. I think it should be stickied atop the site all summer long for the people who continually drone “Johns should have been called up”. The guy was hurt, he came back, got hurt twice more before finally getting on a roll in the last two weeks of the Hogs regular season and then the playoffs.
Once again, this management group favors letting these young players get their confidence going over a period of time, giving them lots of ice time at the AHL level and not rushing them.
While I realize we live in the “I want it now” generation, I hope that philosophy sinks in. Will it? Hmmmm …
This guy sure had some bad luck with injuries this year. Really sounds like he was progressing to the point where he could have been useful right now on 3rd pairing.
Well put that idea to rest. Wish him the best moving foward.
Johns is exactly the type of DMan the Hawks need to add for next season, so here’s to no more injuries for this young man, because they are the only things that can derail his very promising career. He will be 100% ready come September, and should be one of our starters!
Sucks for Johns. Looks very promising.
He and TvR have had some bad luck health-wise.
I agree with Hof, the Hawks do a great job with promoting their prospects. The Red Wings have done this for over twenty years. Some players like TvR, Kane, and Toews sidestep this process. For others, like Keith, Bolland, Bickell, Brouwer etc. it’s necessary for their development. Just like at the difference between Teuvo now and a couple months ago (although I’m sure his hockey dad Timonem played a HUGE role as well).
Tough year for the kid hopefully he gets it all out of his system this year and the same for TVR. Has anyone heard if the Hawks have any interest in signing Nillson the goalie they picked up in the Leddy trade.
Dave, word is Nilsson will sign with a Swedish team since he has no interest in playing in the AHL. Don’t know if he signed over there yet.
@ FROLIK NAVIDAD
Earlier in the year I was moaning about the Hawks not grooming a “kid” as the 6th d-man and completely forgot about TVR. It ashame that both of these kids missed out on some NHL minutes due to injury.
On another note I heard Cuminsky was skating at practice today and Runblad was dressed in white again. So,… Which 2nd trade draft pick trade was worse Timmo or Runblad,…discuss
Go Hawks!
Blackhawks add a few Black Aces by calling up C Philip Danault, winger Ryan Hartman, and defensemen Ville Pokka and Victor Svedberg. It would be a surprise if any of them played but stranger things have happened.
Interesting that Mark McNeill wasn’t one of the group. As I said a few days ago, I think he’ll be traded at draft time.
I guess Game#2 is the Cumiskey tryout. Hopefully Q isn’t trying out Pokka and/or Svedberg for Game#3 – meaning Cumiskey didn’t pass the test.
Last year there was a smaller handful of Black Aces recalled and then another wave… but, that being said, it is very telling that Mark McNeill wasn’t included in today’s additions.