By LINDA BOUVET, LSSU Sports Information Director

Sophomore forward Matt Johnson isn't quite the Tomas Tatar of Lake Superior State's hockey team, but he understands his role on the Lakers' top line. He tries to do for the Lakers what Tatar does for the Detroit Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk and Darren Helm.

Johnson's linemates are senior Chris Ciotti at center and junior Bryce Schmitt at right wing.

The Detroit area native grew up admiring Central Collegiate Hockey Association teams while quietly working his way up the AAA and junior ranks. After three seasons in the North American Hockey League, he was recruited by Lake Superior State, but was an NCAA academic non-qualifier. He practiced on his own while attending LSSU in 2012-13 and became a regular in the lineup in 2013-14.

“Johnny handled the red-shirt year unbelievably,” said junior Austin McKay, who is one of Johnson's roommates. “He was always upbeat and as excited for our games as anyone on the team. That kind of attitude obviously made him as likable as anyone. Handling that situation shows his character, I think.

“Obviously last year he jumped right in and became a great player for us. I think he scored in his second career game, so that was cool. He skates well and plays hard with physicality. He's one of those guys you're glad is on your team. Matt is a fun-loving guy off the ice. I'm happy to be living with him, and we enjoy watching hockey. Living with Matt means I get his mom's stuffed cabbage, which is a huge bonus.”

This season, the 6-0, 204-pound forward is part of a team that, after enduring more than its share of growing pains during the first half of 2014-15, started off the second half of the season with a thrilling tournament victory at the Florida Hockey Classic.

Johnson encapsulated his career to this point.

“When I was probably 15 or 16 and thought I was just playing another game, my parents came to me and said 'someone would like to talk to you,'” Johnson recalled. “It was someone from triple-A Little Caesar's. Every kid in Detroit wants to play for Little Caesar's. I thought, 'Maybe I can play this game at a high level.' Nothing was ever handed to me. I wasn't drafted or anything. It just came from hard work, being humble and not expecting anything to be handed to me.”

While taking a day-by-day approach to his career, Johnson couldn't help but relish a bit longer in the Lakers' success in Florida, where they won the program's first holiday tournament since 2001-02. LSSU hockey coach Damon Whitten vowed during last week's radio show that it won't take 13 years for the Lakers to win their next tournament.

“That was so much fun – a once in a lifetime experience,” Johnson said. “To go to Florida and play against a couple really strong teams. It was great to come back from break and see all the guys. We had a couple good practices in Ann Arbor. I never had a doubt that we'd pull through it. It was great.”

The Lakers, who played three top-20 teams during the first half of the season, including three teams ranked No. 1 at one time or another, snapped a six-game losing streak during the tournament.

“I don't know how to explain it,” Johnson said. “It was something that happened. It was positive on the bench, we were running all four lines, the 'D' were all playing. We had confidence in every guy playing that night…We were managing our highs and lows. Sometimes when the team is low, it's really low. But even when (Notre Dame) scored that tying goal, we never sunk down. It was nice to see something kind of go our way.”

LSSU avenged October losses to a Notre Dame team that enjoyed a 10-4 scoring advantage in South Bend, Ind.

“It's tough losing, but something about our team has kind of clicked now,” Johnson said. “We all feel like we're on the same page. The No. 1 teams were a good test. I know we didn't have the outcomes we wanted, but they were a good measuring stick. We're not too far from where we want to be.”

Two players who are masters at helping Johnson settle his nerves are his linemates. Ciotti is a crafty center, while Schmitt brings a little bit of everything to the unit.

“I've always loved playing with Schmitty,” Johnson said. “And when Chris came back from his injury, it immediately felt like we were clicking…It's nice having the confidence of knowing that I'm going to be playing with a couple great players every night.”

“Having Johnson on a line with me and Ciotti has been great,” Schmitt said. “Johnny plays fast and hard, which is great to have on our line. If we need someone to retrieve the puck Johnny is one who will get it. His big body and good defensive skill makes it easier to play by making more time and space for Ciotti and me. Offensively he is great at making plays. Personally I can recall numerous times that I should have scored because of is playmaking ability and him getting the puck to me. One can arguably say Johnny has one of the hardest shots on the team, so it's only a matter of time before he starts to find the back of the net.”

Schmitt currently leads the Lakers in points with 6-6—12 in 24 games palyed, while Ciotti has 4-3—7 in only 15 games. Johnson has contributed five assists in 21 games so far.

“(Schmitt) just works hard every night, every shift,” Johnson said. “He's not one to sit back if he's having a bad shift. He's always going to work hard, do the little things. It shows in his game, and the puck ends up on his stick and in the net.”

Ciotti is coming off a disappointing 2013-14 season, during which he totaled 1-10-11. He ranked second on the team in goals scored as a sophomore with 11-8—19.

“Being healthy has been huge for him,” Johnson noted. “This summer he worked really hard with his personal skating coach. I was talking to him all summer and he wanted to have a good senior year. The biggest key to his game is the summer he had. He came back a better skater, with better hands, everything.”

While striving to bring more offense to the lineup, Johnson takes pride in his penalty killing role for LSSU. He makes sure to provide a physical and defensive presence even if he's not scoring.

“I'm trying to be a better straight-line player,” he said. “I've had trouble turning, looping around. I've really worked on stopping and starting. All of the sudden pucks are landing on my stick. I'm starting to get more shots on net, and getting to the heart areas more.”

Johnson loved to skate from the minute he put on his first pair of skates. He also always loved college hockey and tried to never miss the Great Lakes Invitational at Joe Louis Arena.

“I loved the CCHA and for some reason really liked the anchor,” he said. “I thought the logo was cool when I was younger. When I was 13, Steven Oleksy (LSSU '09/Washington Capitals) played here. He was from my area, and I thought he was the coolest guy ever. When I was recruited, I knew I wanted to play in Michigan. As soon as I was recruited by Lake State, I knew this is where I wanted to be.”