BCHL Today: Johnson goes fifth overall in NHL Draft, Lapointe battles Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and more!

Johnson selected fifth overall in the NHL Draft

University of Michigan rookie Kent Johnson (61 goals and 86 assists in 112 games with Trail from 2018-20) was selected fifth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft on Friday.

Johnson, an 18-year-old from Port Moody, BC, had nine goals and 27 points in 26 games for Michigan this past season. He was ranked third among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting heading into the draft. Elite Prospects and TSN/Bob McKenzie both had him ranked ninth overall.

He is the third former BCHL player to be chosen by the Blue Jackets in the first round after they nabbed Gilbert Brule (32 goals, 25 assists in 48 games with Quesnel in 2002-03) in 2005 and Ryan Johansen (five goals, 12 assists in 48 games with Penticton in 2008-09) in 2010.

Lapointe is battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma

St. Lawrence University forward Greg Lapointe (29 goals, 31 assists in 56 games with Coquitlam in 2019-20) is battling high-risk Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is a cancer of a part of the immune system.

A GoFundMe has been started to raise funds for the Foundation du CHUS, which is providing treatment and care for the 20-year-old from Granby, QC.

Lapointe’s hockey career is on hold while he undergoes treatment. He had nine points in 17 games for St. Lawrence this past season.

Wild on the lookout for an athletic trainer for 2021-22

The Wenatchee Wild are on the hunt for an athletic trainer for the 2021-22 season. Details about the job and how to apply are available on Wenatchee’s website here.

Khaira to become an unrestricted free agent

Forward Jujhar Khaira (39 goals, 82 assists in 112 games with Prince George from 2010-12) won’t receive a qualifying offer from the Edmonton Oilers and is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 28, according to a report from Donnie and Dhali co-host Rick Dhaliwal.

The 26-year-old from Surrey, BC has played parts of six seasons in Edmonton, compiling 24 goals and 63 points in 258 games.

Morrison signs a deal with Heilbronner for 2021-22

Defenseman Kenney Morrison (eight goals, 27 assists in 55 games with Alberni Valley in 2010-11) has signed with Heilbronner Falken of the DEL2, which is the second tier of pro hockey in Germany.

Morrison, a 29-year-old from Lloydminster, AB, notched five goals and 30 points in 50 games with the DEL2’s Tölzer Löwen in 2020-21.