Young gun Wyatt Johnston just keeps delivering the goods.
DALLAS - Through seven games, Wyatt Johnston isn't exhibiting any signs of experiencing the proverbial sophomore slump.
Johnston, 20, leads the Stars in scoring with seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) and continues to impress with his offensive prowess.
The Toronto native enjoyed an excellent rookie campaign with 24 goals and 41 points in 82 games, before adding another four goals in 19 playoff appearances to finish on a high note.
The fact that Johnston has picked up right where he left off doesn't necessarily surprise head coach Pete DeBoer, though, because the youngster clearly has a good head on his shoulders.
"Wyatt’s just a special player. He’s mature beyond his years. We talked about it a little bit. He made some really mature decisions to try and avoid [the sophomore slump], including not changing a whole lot of things from last year. He went back and lived with the Pavelskis again, didn’t move out and go on his own and add all that to the second-year thing, which I think limits a bunch of distractions," explained DeBoer. "He’s comfortable. He’s back in the same place he was when he had a lot of success last year for another year. I’m sure next year he’ll be moving out on his own and getting his own place, but I thought it was a really mature decision on his part, and I think that helps, too."
DeBoer acknowledged, however, that he believes in the concept of the sophomore slump.
Johnston, who was selected 23rd overall in 2021, just appears to be rising above it.
"I haven’t had many players step in at Wyatt’s age and do what he did. Maybe Adam Larsson, who we had in New Jersey as a fourth-overall pick, but you usually have to be one of those top five overall picks to step in that early to go through what Wyatt's going through at this age, so it’s really rare," explained DeBoer. "The sophomore slump thing is real, though, regardless of your age, and I would think particularly for young guys. The younger you are, probably the more susceptible you are to deal with it."