UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Kenny Johnson knows what he brings to the table (or the ice, in this case), and it's not going to change anytime soon.
"I'm not necessarily a go end-to-end, score every game kind of guy," Johnson said. "The stats sheet will tell you that. But my brother grew up in a time that was a hard-nosed, physical, you play a certain way and you also produce on offense by moving the puck. And I was raised by that…with my size, it's been easier."
To Johnson's coaches and teammates, the physicality he brings to the game is something the team can't play without.
"Trust me, our opponents know when he's on the ice," head coach Guy Gadowsky said. "He brings an element that we need, and he does it very well."
Connor MacEachern, Johnson's good friend and roommate, echoed Gadowsky's sentiments.
Johnson has an important role on the team, and his hard-nosed style of play has been especially important during penalty kills, MacEachern said.
Not only do the Nittany Lions' opponents know when Johnson is on the ice, but his teammates do too.
"When he's on the ice we kind of feel a little safer…his presence, guys get nervous out there, like you can see it on the ice," MacEachern said. "When he's going into the corner with someone, maybe they don't want to go in with the same speed as a guy not as big as him. His physicality definitely helps and it's fun to have him out there."
Johnson brings more than just a physical element to the team. He's upped his overall game this year by putting in significant work over the summer, which has made him quicker both with and without the puck.
Johnson spent a good deal of time working on strength and conditioning during the off season, which according to Gadowsky greatly increased his results in off-ice testing.
"But his on-ice testing was much quicker and faster in every area… you can't overlook that, he looks quicker and more comfortable on the ice," Gadowsky said.
MacEachern has seen firsthand the work that Johnson has been putting in. Johnson has been putting an emphasis on taking care of his body by eating well and working hard in the gym. To MacEachern, it's made all the difference in the defenseman's strength.
He's also noticed a difference in Johnson's mindset. MacEachern believes Johnson has been more mindful in using his weight on the ice, which has enabled him to play more strategically.
Johnson himself is doing the most he can to improve his game.
"Sleep's obviously the most important thing you can do for any person, for anything, so I take that into account, especially closer to games," Johnson said. "I try and get every opportunity I can to get on the ice. I watch my videos after games, or even before games I'll watch some clips. I've just been trying to do all the little things that add up over time, and hopefully they keep paying off."
He also credits learning from former teammates, specifically defensemen, in improving his on-ice performance.
Clearly valued on the ice by his team, Johnson's presence off the ice is just as appreciated by them.
"The guys love him. He's just one of those guys," Gadowsky said. "You just love Kenny. You love having him around. He gives the team confidence, not only because of the role he plays, but because of the type of person he is."
MacEachern lived with Johnson his freshman year, and now as a junior lives with both him and Kevin Wall. Johnson is like a brother to him, and the two are especially close.
"He definitely has a great positive attitude, I mean we all knew that from day one," MacEachern said. "He's always been a positive influence on everyone… I've been living with him and I love hanging around him. He's a great guy, team guy. He's phenomenal to be around."
While the two have a long history at Penn State together, they also played together previously in the Canadian Junior Hockey League's National Jr. A Championship in 2018. Johnson's Penticton Vees played against MacEachern's Cobourg Cougars.
The two didn't realize at the time they'd be future teammates at Penn State, but MacEachern looks back on it as a fun memory.
"He's going to be one of my best friends for life. I mean, he's really important to me, and us living together freshman year was the biggest memory we could have had," MacEachern said. "Obviously brothers fight, they get in arguments. But, at the same time we love each other, and that's the way it works. For us, living together I think really brought us a lot closer freshman year, kind of understanding college and getting in the groove of things, we helped each other out with whatever we needed."
While Johnson is already seeing results from the work he has put in, he doesn't plan on slowing down anytime soon.
"I was always told from the moment I walked in here to just stay patient and stay humble and be ready when my time comes… I just took that to heart and I'm really glad I did," Johnson said. "Whether it's going well or poor, I just try to stay humble and keep doing what I need to do and I focus on that."
