Kaiser, like Johnson, is a native Minnesotan who played college hockey at Minnesota-Duluth.
Blackhawks rookie defenseman Wyatt Kaiser admitted he didn't know Adam Johnson that well. But Johnson's death from a skate blade cut to the throat in a game in England last week rekindled a connection.
And maybe a reminder. A warning even.
Kaiser, like Johnson, played NCAA Division 1 hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. The 21-year-old Kaiser was wearing a neck guard in Chicago's game-day skate at the United Center on Saturday and said he'll continue to once the puck drops against the Florida Panthers.
It was an easy decision for Kaiser, who like fellow rookies Connor Bedard and Kevin Korchinski is set to play his 10th game of the season on Saturday.
"It was not worth the risk and I don't even notice it out there," Kaiser said. "It's a no brainer." See the video.
Kaiser and Johnson: Same state, opposite ends
Kaiser and Johnson are from opposite ends of Minnesota. Kaiser is from the Twin Cities suburb of Andover. Johnson hailed from Grand Rapids, in the state's gritty northern Iron Range.
Kaiser, the Blackhawks third round draft pick (81st overall) in 2020, played three seasons with the UMD Bulldogs from 2020 to 2023 before signing his entry-level contract with Chicago in March. He skated in nine games with the Hawks at the end of last season.
Johnson, who was 29 skated at UMD for two seasons, in 2015-16 and 2016-17, so he and Kaiser were never teammates. Johnson, a wiry forward, went on to play mainly as minor-league pro in North America before moving to Europe.
He did get into 13 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins over two seasons, a free agent's cup of coffee in the NHL that resulted in one goal.
"Adam Johnson was a (Minnesota) Duluth guy and I skated with him this summer," Kaiser said. "I didn't even know him great, to be honest. Just kind of met him a few times. But a Duluth guy, Minnesota guy, definitely hits close to home."