Wyatt Johnston is no longer just a promising prospect for the Dallas Stars. Johnston, 21, is a right-handed center who recently reached 100 NHL points on Saturday, March 30. Here’s what you need to know about the Canadian forward who became one of the most essential Stars today.
Early Life in Canada
Wyatt Johnston was born in Toronto, Ontario, on May 14, 2003. Wyatt is the youngest child of Chuck Johnston and Margot Fulcher. Wyatt’s two older siblings are Austin and Quinn.
Johnston played two seasons with the Toronto Marlboros of the U16 AAA and GTHL U16 in 2018-19. The 21-year-old finished his stint with the Marlboros with 130 points (71 goals and 59 assists) in 106 regular-season games.
Johnston played two seasons with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL in 2019-20 and 2021-22 after being drafted with the sixth overall pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection Draft. Johnston finished his tenure with the Spitfires with 154 points (58 goals and 96 assists) in 121 regular-season games and 41 points (14 goals and 27 assists) in 25 postseason games.
Up-and-Coming Career in Texas
The Dallas Stars drafted Wyatt Johnston with the 23rd overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. Johnston signed a three-year, entry-level contract worth $3,093,750 with the Stars on September 28, 2021, and then recorded three points (two goals and one assist) in the Dallas Stars Prospect Tournament.
Johnston made his NHL debut on October 13, 2022, in the Dallas Stars’ first game of the 2022-23 NHL season against the Nashville Predators. At age 19, Johnston became the first teenager to play for the Stars since Miro Heiskanen in 2018 and the first North American teenager to do so since Jamie Langenbrunner and Todd Harvey in 1994. Johnston’s first goal came in his first NHL game against Juuse Saros.
Fast forward to March 4, 2023, when Johnston broke the record for most goals by a teenager in Stars history when he scored his 15th goal of the season (and his career) against the Colorado Avalanche. And, on March 5, 2024, Johnston notched his first career hat trick in the Stars’ 7-6 win over the San Jose Sharks.
All of the Hardware
So far, Wyatt Johnston has won five awards and honors: four with the OHL and one with the NHL.
Johnston’s awards were the First All-Star Team, Red Tilson Trophy, Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy, William Hanley Trophy, and CHL Top Scorer Award (124) — all in 2022. In addition, Johnston’s lone honor in 2023 was the NHL All-Rookie Team.
A Personal Life
Wyatt Johnston reportedly lives with Joe Pavelski and his family. Johnston had a reported choice to move out on his own for the first time in his life but decided to renew his lease at the Pavelski home. He became a part of the Pavelski family. He learned consistency and maturity from the veteran center twice his age, contributing to his successful first season in the NHL and beyond.
Interesting Facts
Do you remember when Wyatt Johnston’s game-winning goal won Game 7 of the Dallas Stars’ second-round series in May 2023? Twenty-four hours after his goal, Johnston got fancy in the kitchen, per The Athletic. The Pavelski household’s menu featured steaks, crabs, shrimp, and eggs. Johnston did his part to prepare the meal, but he had help from the veteran, Joe Pavelski, who helped him with the steaks’ temperatures, which turned out medium.
