Bo Johansson Veteran Presence

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From Rags to Riches

It feels like only yesterday when Bo Johansson came into the VHLM as an undrafted prospect with little fanfare. But he was dedicated to give it his best, and after landing the sponsorship with Clue Glue™ early in his VHLM due to his amazing flow. More so than his skill at hockey. It lead to his getting opportunities that he never imagined he would have. Top of the line practice facilities and the ability to truly focus on hockey as a full time job for the first time in his life.

 

 

An Evolving Game

With this new setup his growth skyrocketed, and the previously fully defensive defenseman started to see more and more offense in his game. But despite that he didn't quite know what to expect heading into his first VHL season. He set his sights at 60 points on the season. Other than that there weren't really any plans or goals. So he was equal measure surprised and overjoyed when the Chicago Phoenix named him as their Captain in his rookie season. A role that he took quite seriously and as much as Bo is mostly the kind to lead by example on the ice. He also started picking up a bigger role in the Locker Room.

 

"If you have Johansson on your PP unit you should ponder where your life went this wrong, and how to remedy it. NOW!" - Richard McLargeHuge, Head Scout of the ASS (Amateur Scouting Service) S80

 

Rising from the Ashes

With Chicago filling up on new rookies as well as trades in S84 Bo suddenly found himself as one of the veteran players on the team. Still the captain and now a sophomore player it wouldn't do to have a flash in the pan rookie season anymore. He had to continue to work harder than everyone, stay longer in the gym and show the new members of the Phoenix that we will rise from the ashes of S82 and soar to the top of the standings again.

 

So Bo was quite distraught when he started the season with 2 points in 4 games. That's not how you lead by example, not at all. So heading into games 5-8 Bo was on a mission, and quite a successful one at that. As he put up a quite mindblowing 15 points in those 4 games. Showing that he has grown into the leadership role that comes both with the letter on his chest and his growing experience in the league.

 

A long way left to Go

So does Bo consider himself a Veteran? No, that's probably a long way out. After having signed a max extension with a NTC earlier in the off-season Bo signaled to everyone that he's in Chicago to stay. Hopefully one day he can look in the mirror and actually see himself as that veteran presence, someone for the younger Phoenix to look up to. But for now Bo's focus in on growing to a point where he feels he deserves the role that has been given to him.