Port Moody's Kent Johnson is back in the National Hockey League (NHL).
The 21-year-old forward has been recalled by the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team that drafted him fifth overall in the 2021 NHL entry draft.
Johnson had been sent to the Blue Jackets' minor league affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters in the American Hockey League (AHL), on Nov. 3, after struggling through the early part of his second full season in Columbus.
He had just three points in eight games and had been scratched from the starting lineup twice.
But in 10 games with the Monsters, Johnson scored five goals and added 10 assists. He also had 29 shots on goal.
Johnson totalled 16 goals and 24 assists in 74 games last year, his first full season with the Blue Jackets.
He joined the team late in the 2021-22 campaign, following the conclusion of his sophomore season at the University of Michigan.
Columbus has been struggling this season. The team sits in last place in the NHL's Metropolitan division with just 18 points in 24 games.
On Wednesday, Nov. 29, the Blue Jackets squandered a lead twice and gave up two goals in the final three minutes of the third period in a 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
