In the high-stakes world of NHL playoffs, Wyatt Johnston has emerged as a pivotal force for the Dallas Stars. At just 21 years old, the Toronto-born centre is not only meeting expectations but redefining them, showcasing a blend of skill, poise, and maturity that belies his age.
Johnston’s ascent began in the Greater Toronto Hockey League with the Toronto Marlboros, where his offensive prowess quickly caught attention. Drafted sixth overall by the Windsor Spitfires in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, he made an immediate impact. After a promising rookie season curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnston returned with a vengeance in 2021–22, leading the OHL with 124 points (46 goals, 78 assists) over 68 games.
This performance earned him the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as the league’s top scorer and the Red Tilson Trophy as the most outstanding player. His 124-point tally ranks fifth in Spitfires’ franchise history, a testament to his offensive capabilities. Moreover, Johnston’s discipline on the ice was recognized with the William Hanley Trophy for the OHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player, making him the first player since Jason Allison in 1993–94 to secure all three honours in a single season.
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Transitioning seamlessly to the NHL
Selected 23rd overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Johnston signed a three-year entry-level contract and made his NHL debut on October 13, 2022, against the Nashville Predators, scoring his first goal in the process. His rookie season concluded with 24 goals and 17 assists over 82 games, setting a new benchmark for goals by a teenager in Stars’ history.
The 2023–24 season saw Johnston elevate his game further, recording 32 goals and 33 assists, totaling 65 points. His performance earned him a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team, solidifying his status as one of the league’s most promising young talents.
Johnston’s impact extends into the postseason, where he has demonstrated a knack for clutch performances. In the 2024 playoffs, he joined Wayne Gretzky as the only players under 21 to score both a short-handed and power-play goal in the same playoff game, highlighting his versatility and composure under pressure.
More recently, in Game 5 of the Stars’ first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche, Johnston scored just nine seconds into the game—the fastest playoff goal in franchise history and tied for the fifth-fastest in NHL postseason history. He added another goal and an assist, leading Dallas to a 6–2 victory and a 3–2 series lead.
Johnston then went on to score the game-winning goal in Game 7 against the Avalanche. Listen here: Johnston scores game-winning goal
A cornerstone for the future
As the Stars continue their quest for the Stanley Cup, Johnston’s emergence as a reliable two-way centre provides the team with a dynamic presence down the middle. His ability to contribute offensively while maintaining defensive responsibilities exemplifies the modern NHL forward.
Johnston signed a 5 year, $42,000,000 contract with the Dallas Stars, including $42,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $8,400,000. In 2025-26, Johnston will earn a base salary of $4,400,000 and a signing bonus of $4,000,000, while carrying a cap hit of $8,400,000.