Mounds View/Irondale junior forward Sarah Johnson possesses a unique skill set that allows her to pick apart defenses.
That’s been quite evident through six games. Johnson has 13 goals and seven assists. After the team totaled four total wins a year ago, MVI is 5-0-1.
Head coach Sami Miller said the team is “feeding off what Sarah is doing,” and she is elevating the entire roster’s level of play.
“Yeah, the points she’s putting up are out of this world, especially with the amount of attention she gets,” Miller said. “… It’s not easy to be able to score and assist the way she does, with the amount of pressure she has on her from other teams.”
Miller said the pieces of Johnson’s game that jump out on the ice are her puck possession, size and speed. It’s a combination of skills, Miller said, that she has never seen from a girl of Johnson’s age during her time playing or coaching hockey.
Johnson led MVI in goals(16) and assists(17) in her sophomore season. Johnson said she had a harder time dealing with the pressure opponents put on her last year, so improving her mental game has led to increased production.
“It’s helping me to read the ice better,” Johnson said. “I’m predicting or anticipating what plays I want to make a little more in advance.”
Miller echoed Johnson’s sentiments, complimenting her advanced hockey IQ and ability to deal with sometimes seeing three or four defenders.
Johnson also stepped up her leadership role for MVI this season, as she was named a captain. Her maturity shone through when she was asked about her hot start to the season.
“I turn it back on my teammates,” Johnson said. “I feel like I’ve had so much good support, and like, everyone’s making the smart play, and I feel like I have a lot of like passing options.”
MVI is benefitting from only graduating three seniors from last season’s squad. Miller said the roster continuity has allowed the team to acclimate to the varsity pace and craft chemistry on the ice.
Johnson said the relationships they have built off the ice have led to MVI’s strong play to open the season.
“I feel like it’s now finally reflecting onto the ice,” Johnson said. “I can trust passing to people. I can trust in my teammates.”
The focus on team culture over the offseason, and Johnson’s sensational start, has MVI aiming higher this season. Miller said her squad has proven itself, and she does not want to put a ceiling on how far this team can go.
“I don’t think a conference championship or anything like that would be out of the question,” Miller said. “I think that’s something that we could strive towards at this point.”
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