Robert Johnson '22 Recruiting Profile

My ultimate career dream is to one day play in the (NHL) National Hockey League.

Right about now, this is when I hear “Good Luck”. Yes, this is a big task, knowing how

difficult it is to make it to the “big league.” Most would say impossible. This is definitely a

“doubt” that has plagued me. The longer I’ve been on the ice, the more I have realized

it’s all about the love I have for the game, so my aspirations at a minimum are to reach

a level of hockey that I can live and support a family. 

I started my hockey career at a young 6 years of age. I played various house and club

leagues and most recently have been playing Varsity Hockey for my high school. In

addition, I attended camps and training clinics to elevate my skill. Some would say the

better route would have been to play Travel and/or Triple A (AAA) hockey vs. the high

school team route. I on the other hand, feel this has been a great path to my

development. The coaching staff made a big difference in choosing this track. The next

direction I’m pursuing is playing college hockey. This again is only one of 3 different

routes aspiring hockey players can take. Those 3 ways are Junior League, College, or a

chance to play Minor League.

Striving to play college hockey has involved the last 3 years of blood, sweat, and tears

of walking up to the rink for any and all ice time I could take advantage of, attending

treadmill skating and private drill training, after school weight training, and even

attempting healthier eating habits. In addition, I volunteered with other coaches for the

local “learn to play hockey” program for the younger generation, started one of my first

jobs at the local rink as a scorekeeper, and as mentioned attended clinics around the

U.S. to gain more professional training. Did I mention all the intense landscaping labor

my dad forced me to do during the summer months and shoveling snow in the winter?

Lastly, I definitely don’t want to leave out all the prayer and requests from God to

provide the right opportunities for my growth.

Accomplishing the privilege of playing hockey in college is just another step in the right

direction of reaching my goals. One of my favorite quotes is, “Shoot for the moon. Even

if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” by Noman Vincent Peale.