When defenseman Jack Johnson fractured his right foot in a game late in the season against San Jose it ended his rookie campaign, but not before the 21-year-old had left an impression on fans, his teammates and the league.
The University of Michigan star who came to the Kings in a 2006 trade with the Carolina Hurricanes, Johnson played in 74 games for the Kings this past season, scoring three goals and adding eight assists to go along with 76 penalty minutes.
But it wasn't so much the stats that told the story of Johnson's season as much as it was his emerging confidence. Logging plenty of minutes and killing penalties, Johnson became one of the more reliable Kings on defense during a difficult season, and while the organization has to be pleased with his progress, most fans were left waiting for that monster break-out moment, either a big slap shot goal, or a ruthless check.
And there were glimpses.
Along with the three goals there were moments when Johnson displayed his mean streak, and of course he knocked old Kings' nemesis Ryan Smyth cold with a clean check in Colorado back in March.
Still, Johnson feels he has a lot to prove and of course room for improvement.
Johnson is back home in Michigan enjoying his summer and took a few minutes to talk about his first full season in the NHL
Jack Johnson Q&A - Inside the Kings 
JMFJ Q&A (itk) 
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