On Monday, the Ottawa 67's announced that Jack Johnson has signed an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the team. Johnson was Ottawa's second-round pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. 

"Jack is a player who was highly coveted by our scouting staff leading up to the 2025 OHL Priority Selection," said Ottawa GM James Boyd. "He is a responsible and strong-skating defender with outstanding leadership qualities."

The 6-foot-2, 2009-born defender played for the Toronto Marlboros U-16 AAA squad last season. He finished the year as the team's highest scoring defender with four goals and 17 assists in 33 games.

He was a standout at the OHL Cup, where he averaged a point per game, scoring a goal and adding three assists in four games. Being able to score when the stakes are high is something every coach and GM will find incredibly valuable. 

Beyond scoring, Johnson was an alternate captain for the Marlboros, which gave him leadership experience. This was something Boyd noted in the press release.

This signing is great news for Ottawa fans as it should bolster the right side of the team's D-corps. Kohyn Eshkawkogan is the best offensive defenseman on the team and will probably take the top spot on the right side next season. That leaves overage defender Brad Horner and 2006-born Josh Brady to take on big roles on the right side. 

While both have played well during their time in Ottawa, neither is a big scorer. Instead, they bring solid physicality and tenacity to their games. Horner, in particular, has spent a decent amount of time playing forward the last few years, and could easily be moved up again this season.

There is also a chance that Horner will not be back with the team this season due to the overage rules in the OHL. Last year's team featured five overage players. Luca Pinelli will likely go to the AHL which leaves Ottawa with four overage players. While the team can keep all four of Horner, Jack Dever, Chris Barlas and Cooper Foster, they cannot play all four on a given night. Therefore it seems likely one will get moved this offseason.

Whether or not Horner stays with the team, Johnson is in a position to walk into the third spot on the right side or even second if he manages to impress Head Coach Dave Cameron. 

Barring any sort of trade, the left side is pretty much set with Frankie Marrelli, and Nolan Jackson likely to see the majority of minutes, while Ryan White, the son of long-time Ottawa Senator Todd White, and Kaleb Dietsch will be left to battle for the third line role.

It should be noted, White is committed to Providence in the NCAA and could leave as early as this season, though this seems unlikely given the fact that he only managed to play eight OHL games last season due to injury. 

So far this Summer, James Boyd has put together a roster that features a plethora of young talent. Johnson is the latest addition to a group that includes 2025 third-overall pick Brock Chitaroni, Providence College commit Thomas Vandenberg and Jaxon Williams, the son of Justin Williams who won Stanley Cups with the Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings and Washingotn Capitals. 

Ottawa will be a fairly young team next year, which was to be expected after they finished out of the playoffs this past season. The team is in the midst of developing a new young core that Johsnon will have the opportunity to be a part of now that he has signed with the 67's.

 The club will open the 2025-26 OHL season on the road against the Kingston Frontenacs on Sept. 19 at 7:05 p.m. inside Slush Puppie Place