If you are familiar with Kent Johnson's game, then you know he isn't afraid to try anything with the puck on his stick. Which is why it should come as no surprise that he was able to pull off a Michigan goal for Team Canada at the 2022 World Juniors.
In the first period of Canada's game against Czechia on Saturday, Johnson scooped up the puck behind the Czechia net. With one defender tied up with Logan Stankoven and goaltender Tomas Suchanek down in the butterfly in his crease, Johnson had the perfect opportunity to flick the puck around and into the back of the net.
The goal gave Canada a 2-1 lead late in the opening frame. Canada led Czechia 4-1 after two periods.
💀💀💀 KENT JOHNSON with the goal of the tournament! @hockeycanada up 2-1 against @narodnitym #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/qY5WtdawAa
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) August 13, 2022
It's not the first time Johnson has scored a lacrosse-style goal. In fact, this is the fourth time in his young career he has accomplished the feat during a game.
"Probably the best," Johnson said during the first intermission when asked where this goal ranked among his previous goals. "Obviously a big goal, especially at the time of the game. It was pretty awesome. I knew (the net) was pretty open, so just glad it worked out."
MORE: Team Canada 2022 World Juniors roster, results
Mike Johnson mentioned on TSN's broadcast that when players were asked who would be the most likely to score a Michigan at the World Juniors, the most popular answer was Johnson. Turns out, his teammates know him pretty well.
The Blue Jackets prospect, who was selected No. 5 overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, has a goal and assist so far at the 2022 World Juniors. He'll look to create more magic for Canada, which will play its final preliminary-round game Monday against Finland.
What is a "Michigan" goal in hockey?
While the Michigan has only just made its way to the NHL in recent year, the origins of the move actually date back to the '90s.
Mike Legg, a forward at the University of Michigan, completed the scoop-and-score goal during a game in 1996. He picked up the puck with the blade of his stick and while the puck was still on the blade, he whipped his twig around and the net and slung the puck into the goal.
Since then, it's been dubbed "the Michigan" due to the school Legg played for. It was a move that did not work in the NHL back during those times, when a player likely would've been crushed if they attempted the move.
However, with the NHL becoming filled more with skill and finesse, we've seen it pulled off successfully in the NHL. Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov was the first player to get it done, with the goal coming in 2019. He did it again later that season.
Trevor Zegras was the most recent player to do it, scoring a Michigan goal this past NHL season.
What team does Kent Johnson play for?
It's fitting that the Michigan goal came from a Michigan man. Johnson played the last two seasons with the University of Michigan. He averaged more than a point per game his freshman year and then followed that up with another impressive showing this past season. The shifty winger tied Owen Power for the most assists on the team with 29 and finished tied for fourth in points with 37.
His points placed him fifth in the Big Ten, but his 1.16 points-per-game output was good enough to tie with fellow Wolverine Matty Beniers for second in the conference. In total, Johnson ended his Michigan career with 17 goals, 47 assists and 64 points in 58 games.
MORE: Schedule, scores, results for all 2022 World Juniors games
He joined Columbus after the NCAA season, skating in nine games for the Blue Jackets and recording three assists. After the World Juniors, Johnson will try to make the Blue Jackets' roster out of training camp. Otherwise, he'll start the season in the AHL with the Cleveland Monsters.
Johnson is no longer eligible to play in the NCAA since he signed his entry-level contract.
Kent Johnson scouting report
The Blue Jackets prospect owns some of the silkiest mitts you'll find. Johnson has an uncanny ability to deke defenders, unafraid to go through them rather than around them. His hands were on full display with the Michigan goal.
He's strong with the puck on his stick and able to read defenders' body language to get by them. Johnson is smart enough to know when to dish the puck to a teammate rather than try for an extra move.
MORE: Why are the World Juniors being played in August?
Despite all of his skill, Johnson is more known as a distributor than a goal scorer. He'll make for a great offensive weapon on a Blue Jackets team that can use some creativity.