Kent Johnson is heading back to Edmonton this month for the rescheduled 2022 World Junior Hockey Championships.
This time, he'll have an "A" on his maple leaf sweater in hopes of getting Canada back to top of the podium.
On Tuesday (Aug. 2), the Port Moody and Columbus Blue Jackets' product was named first alternate captain of the under-20 squad — the first time he's ever been given a letter on a national roster.
Anaheim Ducks prospect Mason McTavish will serve as captain of the Canadians, while Detroit Red Wings product Donovan Sebrango will wear the second "A."
The World Juniors were cancelled on Dec. 29, 2021, as teams had multiple players that tested positive for COVID-19.
Before the decision was made, Johnson was able to score his second career international goal in Canada's 11-2 rout of Austria, which was jus their second game of the tournament.
Since then, Johnson has gained more world experience having been called up to play for Canada at both the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and the 2022 Men's World Championships.
The 19-year-old Port Moody Amateur Hockey Association alum (PMAHA) recorded five points in five games in China before Canada lost to Sweden in the Olympic quarter-finals.
He later tallied seven points in 10 games at the worlds, ultimately settling for silver after losing to host-Finland in the final.
Johnson was also promoted earlier this year when he signed his first professional contract on April 8 — a three-year, entry-level deal with Columbus nearly 10 months after the team selected him fifth overall in the 2021 NHL Draft.
He recorded three assists and a plus-two (+2) rating in his first nine NHL appearances in the final weeks of the 2021-22 season
Johnson is one of 16 returning Canadians on its 25-man roster for the revamped 2022 World Juniors, which also includes North Vancouver's Connor Bedard, Kamloops' Logan Stankoven and Victoria's Dylan Garand.
The championships take place Aug. 9 to 20; Canada's first contest is slated for Aug. 10 at 3 p.m. Pacific against Latvia.
