It almost never happened for former hockey and lacrosse Governor's Academy standout Kelsey Johnson. After accepting a lacrosse scholarship to the University of New Hampshire out of high school, Johnson's hockey days — as far as college were concerned — appeared to be over.
But, after one year at UNH, Johnson made the decision to transfer and St. Anselm made out all the better for that decision, according to head hockey coach Dave Flint.
"I was thrilled as soon as I got the e-mail the Kelsey was looking to transfer," said Flint looking back two years ago. "I saw her play a few times in high schools at Governor's Academy and I think every Division 3 school in the country was after her, but she took the scholarship from UNH early on, so she was really out of the picture. When she decided to come here I was ecstatic because of the ability she could bring."
Returning to hockey last year after a year off, it took a season to get back in the swing of things. But, in her second year back Johnson had a season for the ages.
As a junior Johnson scored 22 goals and had 15 assists (good enough for second on the team) on a team that went 23-2-1, while winning both the ECAC regular-season crown as well as the ECAC Open tournament at the end of the season. But, because St. Anselm is a Division 2 school playing in Division 3 (there is no Division 2 women's hockey in the NCAA), the team was not eligible for the NCAA tournament.
That did not deter Johnson though from receiving a host of post-season awards. The outstanding junior won the ECAC player of the year award, was one of three finalists for the Division 3 player of the year (she did not win), and was voted as a second-team All-American in Division 3.
From being on the first line for power plays and penalty killing to even spending some time as a defenseman, Johnson could do it all, according to her coach.
"Last year she was good, this year every time she had the puck on her stick she was a threat to score, and she had big goals throughout the year for us," Flint said of his dynamic forward. "She had two or three hat tricks, was first on our team in power play goals (10), first in short handed goal (2), and tied for first in game-winning goals (4).
"At one point in the year due to injuries we had to stick Kelsey back on defense for back-to-back games against Salve Regina (won 6-1) and MIT (won 9-0)," Johnson continued. "She never complained, did her job, and wound up with four points in those two games. I can't think of a bad game she had all year."
And when she wasn't lighting the lamp with goals, she was brightening all her teammates' days around her with her inspirational smile.
"She just brings a work ethic to the rink every day with a great attitude and a smile that you can see across the ice through her mask," admired Flint. "When the kids come to the rink, enjoy the game, and have fun it carries over, and she's one of those kids that just brings out the best in all around her."
Only a junior, Johnson will be a captain next year as well as a front-runner for the player of the year award. And don't be surprised if Johnson and her St. Anselm teammates get into the NCAA Tournament next year with the school pushing for an NCAA change in their current rules format for the tournament.
The Johnson Report
Hometown: Byfield
High School: Governor's Academy
Sport: Women's hockey
Colleges: Originally UNH then transferred to St. Anselm
Stats: Junior year 22 goals, 15 assists; career 37 goals, 29 assists
Awards: 2008 finalist for Division 3 Player of the Year; 2008 second team All-America; 2008 ECAC Player of the Year; voted captain for senior season
