You don't know Jack

I would like to set the record clear once and for all.

My son, Jack, never had any issues with the Carolina Hurricanes when he was selected No. 3 in 2005. He simply wanted to play at the University Of Michigan, which he grew up dreaming about since he was seven or eight years old.

In his wildest dreams, he never thought he would make the NHL and Michigan was his dream.

He met some incredible guys along the way, Brendan Morrison, Jason Botterill, Harold Schock, Mike Legg, Marty Turco, Bill Muckalt, Mike Komisarek to name a few. They were his idols.

Then you have to factor in Michigan coach Red Berenson, the team’s all-time scoring leader, an All-American and NHL coach of the year award winner. Jack’s mother, grandmother, and grandfather (three-sport star) are all UM grads, and that makes quite an impression on a young man.

The facts are that the Hurricanes wanted Jack to sign before he was ready in <his mind to leave Michigan. Please try and understand that Michigan was this kid’s dream even before the NHL.

It simply was a matter of Carolina wanting him before he wanted to go. Don't blame the kid for following his dream of going to one of the greatest universities in the world, playing for one on the greatest coaches in the world and pursuing his dream at his pace.

He gave his word to Red and he would not go back on it. I find that to be extremely rare today and I’m simply tired of hearing him getting slammed without all the facts.

Jack wishes nothing but the best to all the Hurricanes and the organization.

I, as his father, only ask that all fans simply research the facts and respect him for being a man of principle beyond all else.

Jack Johnson Sr., Ann Arbor, Mich.