Cole Johnson

An already explosive offence got that much more dynamic when the Battlefords North Stars made a deadline deal with the Lloydminster Bobcats to land 19-year-old winger Cole Johnson.

In 15 games since sending Jacob Tibbatts to Lloydminster for the former second-round pick of the Western Hockey League’s Swift Current Broncos, Johnson has been on fire scoring 12 times and setting up 12 others. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound product of Marwayne, Alta., has also helped the North Stars win 11 of those 15 games and bring them to within two points of the Nipawin Hawks for first place overall.

Johnson played in over 60 games with the Broncos and Saskatoon Blades during the last two seasons before finding his way to Lloydminster to start this year. In 27 games with the Bobcats, Johnson had nine goals and 12 assists, but he also picked up 109 minutes in penalties, a grittiness that has carried over to the Battlefords as he already has another 48 penalty minutes in his 15 games with the North Stars.

Johnson not only brings major junior experience with him to the Battlefords, but he has also competed in some elite events in the past namely the Alberta Cup, Western Canada Challenge Cup and under-17 development tournament.

The North Stars are looking to repeat as league champions and the addition of Johnson certainly gives them another weapon to try and accomplish that feat. His leadership and experience will be intangibles that could prove to be a difference maker as the season winds down and the gruelling road to the Canalta Cup begins.