Carter Johnson Establishing Himself as “Son” of Thunder
In a challenging and maybe even a bit disappointing season for the Wichita Thunder, one man is quickly building a reputation as a tenacious force on the ice and a rallying spirit off the surface. That is Wichita Thunder center Carter Johnson, who is quickly establishing himself as a true “Son of Thunder.”’
A Quick Lesson to Begin
There is a section of verses in Mark 3 of the New Testament where it provides the names of the 12 disciples who walked with Jesus during His ministry. Two of the clan were John and his brother James, who Jesus referred to as the “Sons of Thunder.”
It is the only time in the Bible that such a nickname was given to anyone and this nickname has been the source of debate among theologians for many generations. Many have wondered what Jesus meant when He gave John and his brother this title.
The reality is that Jesus understood something very important about John. Not only would he become one of the closest friends of Christ, but would be one of the most influential revealers of the Gospel message, helping to transform the world. This, from a man who at times faltered, but learned to grow and transform to become a true force on earth.
A Calling from the Start
It may seem out of touch to categorize a hockey player in the same vein, but the truth is that Wichita Thunder center Carter Johnson has become his own “Son of Thunder” for the team. In his rookie season, he has transformed his game and become one of the most important players on a club looking for a talented leader to help guide this franchise during some midseason woes.
It is not surprising that Carter has been called upon for this challenge. Donning a uniform and playing professional hockey seemed like a calling for the 26-year-old since he was able to walk. Carter is the grandson of Bob Leiter, who spent 10 years in the NHL playing for Boston, Pittsburgh, and the Atlanta and Calgary Flames.
“My grandfather had quite a playing career. He had success throughout and won the Memorial Cup with the Winnipeg Braves in junior. My uncle played professionally down in Wichita and had a great University career in Manitoba. My whole family had played one point. My dad played growing up and is a big hockey guy. He coached me while I was growing up.”
This was just the beginning, however, as Carter’s uncle is also a former professional hockey player, even playing with Thunder Head Coach Bruce Ramsay (Rammer) for the Thunder. This seemed like a pathway destined to be followed by Johnson.
“My uncle played with Rammer here in Wichita and with (Assistant Head Coach) Johnny Gusrskis. They were all teammates and have their fair share of good times and hard-fought battles here in Wichita.”
Carter Johnson Making His Calling a Reality
While having the right pedigree, Carter Johnson had to earn his own way to the professional ranks. It has been a challenge he has embraced wholeheartedly.
The forward joined the Swan Valley Stampeders (MJHL) for two seasons, combining to score 36 goals and adding 48 assists in 114 career games. In 2015-16, he decided to head south of the border to join the Corpus Christi IceRays hoping to get a few more eyes on his performance.
“Went to Texas to try to get a little more exposure. Playing in northern Manitoba, a lot of scouts don’t come around, so going to Texas afforded me the opportunity to get seen. That led me to the next level so I was fortunate for my time in both places.”
The decision was a smart one, as Carter quickly found himself getting offers from schools such as Miami (OH) who he joined after completing his junior career. The forward has proven himself to have an exceptional scoring touch but, with a talented lineup in place, Carter was willing to take on a new role with the team to do whatever it took to get on the ice and help the RedHawks. This led him to take on a more defensive role with the club.
“I came in hoping to be one of those skilled forwards looking to put up big numbers, but they had some really skilled guys there who were are having great pro careers now and I fell into the defensive role of things and I embraced it.”
While helping to turn him into a spectacular defensive forward, Carter did see his offense of numbers decline, producing five total goals and 13 points in his 92 games at Miami. For many players, this would have been a point of frustration. However, Carter saw this as a chance to become a more well-rounded player, something he knew would help to further his progress as a future professional.
“I just kind of prided myself on winning the big face-off and blocking the shot. Whatever the team needed, creating the play when I can. It just happened to be that way and I embraced it and knew that I would try to contribute when I could offensively and get that part of my game back eventually. I knew that that was more of an asset, mixing the two together. It kind of help me to round out everything overall.”
A Son of Thunder Born
After graduating from Miami with a Bachelor of Health and Science and a minor in management, Carter Johnson was ready to start playing professional hockey. He first signed with the Kalamazoo Wings for the 2020-21 season, but the team opted to not participate in the ECHL last year. That left Carter without a place to play, so he spent the year, interestingly enough, working with his brother as a lumberjack. Again, this could have been an opportunity for the young man to get caught up in “what should have been,”, but he seized on this opportunity as a chance to enjoy time with his family and prepare for the next season.
“I shifted my focus, resetting and worked as a full-time lumberjack with my brother. Me and him worked had and had our own firewood cutting business cutting down trees all day, chopping them up and selling them. I was just enjoying getting back to my own culture.”
In the off-season, the Wichita Thunder came calling. Carter was going to have his opportunity to reach his professional goal, but was more excited about the opportunity that Coach Ramsay offered. While the forward had established himself as an exceptional defensive forward, his new head coach needed him to become a force offensively. Carter was ready for the challenge.
“In college I was relied upon for defense against the best centermen. That kind of helped to round out my game. Getting the opportunity, feeling the confidence that Rammer instills in me night in and night out, just giving me the opportunity has really helped spurred my offensive game and to find my confidence on and off the ice. I am pretty fortunate to get a good opportunity here with some great players so I could find my offensive game again.”
Lines Change, But the Centerman Remains
The 26-year-old has become the force the Thunder have needed early on. In a season that has seen several of their key offensive stars move up to the AHL level, Wichita has needed someone to be a leader on and off the ice, producing points and challenging goaltenders. That is exactly what Carter Johnson has delivered.
Just 32 games into his professional career, Carter leads the Thunder in goals with 11 and is currently third on the team with 25 points. He shifted up to the No. 1 line in Coach Ramsay’s rotation, playing a key role on the team’s power-play. However, it has not been all about his offensive game. Those skills he learned in college are now being applied here at the professional level as well, as the forward has often become the “go to guy” for those key face-offs deep in either end of the ice.
While having a spectacular season early on, Carter is giving credit to those around him who helped to put him in this position.
“I came in and got some good looks during training camp and have had some opportunities with guys moving around. I had the opportunity to play with guys like (Peter) Crinella and (Jay) Dickman. They are obviously two very good and talented guys. They helped me to build my confidence. It has been easy to create offense with them. A lot of credit goes to them for help me get going.”
The three did click early on, but Crinella has moved up to Bakersfield (AHL) and Dickman has spent time with Stockton (AHL). That has meant that new linemates have been inserted to join Carter each night, but his head coach has always the center on that top line, often combining him with other skill forwards such as Brayden Watts, Billy Exell, and Stephen Johnson. The lines change, but the productivity has continued.
“There are some highly skilled forwards here. Brayden Watts is a very skilled forward. He is just one of many here. Being surrounded by those guys it is definitely not hard to find your offensive touch, to get that going.”
Carter has been having success early on, but the team is struggle. With losses in 16 of their last 18 games, the Wichita Thunder may be feeling the effects of Covid protocols more than any other ECHL club. This could be a time when players get down on themselves and the performance of their team, but this is the time when Carter Johnson sees that the team must step up knowing brighter days are ahead.
“It can be tough when there is a skid. We still try to keep it light and embrace the fact that you are a professional hockey player. That’s one of the things that Rammer instills in us. You just got to enjoy life. You are playing hockey for a living and embrace that. You have to try to be as positive as possible and build guys up. Tough times don’t last so you just got to keep going through, pushing through. We have brought in a few new faces. The returning faces are a big-time part of the lineup. We just got to stick together through it and pulled through the hard times because there are good times on the other side.”
A True Son of Thunder
It is not surprising that Carter Johnson would approach the recent challenges in this way. A true Son of Thunder (or maybe more appropriately a Nephew of Thunder) knows that the storm will rise again. It is a message that those around Carter have taught him from the very start, ensuring that he always believed in himself and didn’t let circumstances dictate his attitude toward the game or toward life in general.
“The big part of it was trying to train my confidence and to get back to the level where I could compete as a player. The credit goes all the way back to my support system back home. They’re watching every game, they know exactly what to say, and how to support me. Everyone from my mom, my dad, my two brothers, my girlfriend, they are always in my corner. They support me in every way. They help build my confidence and be ready to put my best foot forward this season. Obviously, a lot of credit goes to Rammer for believing in me and putting me in these situations as well as my linemates. A lot of credit goes to a lot of people, but I am just loving every minute of it, wanting to do all I can to help my team.”
It is fitting that a man named Johnson would so seamlessly relate to an incredible apostle. John was one who transformed his thinking, changed his approach in how he reached out to others, and became one of the most influential people in the history of the world. The Thunder was not a casting down of fire, but a calm spirit that was spurred by passion for his calling.
Maybe this John(son) will not reach such lofty goals, but one can see how he has changed his approach to the game, overcome obstacles, and has an attitude focused on the love for his teammates, his family, and his favorite sport. His passion is in on full display every night, and his smile and charismatic personality make him the kind of guy that teammates embrace.
“Hockey is all about being with the guys. It does not matter what my numbers look like. It does not matter if I score 25 goals or five. I want to help my team to win. That is hockey. That is what it is all about and that is what we are committed to here on this team.”
Can the “Force” Lead This Team?
As the Wichita Thunder near the midpoint of the ECHL season, a lot of speculation looms as to whether the team has what it takes to rally in the second half and earn a playoff spot. They enter Saturday night’s competition seven points behind the Tulsa Oilers for fourth place in the Mountain Division, and must overtake bitter rivals Allen, Kansas City, and Tulsa to grab that final berth.
Some may be writing the team off already, believing that there is no way that this club can put together a run that would lead them to a playoff spot, maybe even a trip to the Calder Cup Finals. However, for those doubters out there, they should know that a Son of Thunder is coming. He has brought his A-game. He has brought an incredible attitude and passion for the game he loves. He is bringing the Thunder. No doubt, with all of that in mind, he will play a key role in helping to resurrect this team.
All Images Used in Article Courtesy of Super Ed Bailey and Wichita Thunder
By Robert Pannier