The Washington Capitals selected left-handed defenseman Lucas Johansen with their first round pick Friday night. After being introduced on stage and taking photos with Caps management, Johansen met with the NHL press for the first time. He called being drafted “the best feeling I’ve ever had.”
Lucas talked at length about his brother Ryan, a center with the Nashville Predators, during his press conference. Lucas even credited the 2015 NHL All Star Game MVP as the reason why he decided to be a defender.
Here’s a partial transcript of Lucas’s interview.
Watch as #CapsDraft pick @LucasJohansen97 meets the media for the first time at the 2016 #NHLDraft in Buffalo.https://t.co/KC3Vg8VONk
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 25, 2016
His reaction to being drafted:
Lucas Johansen: “Our family, we heard Kelowna, we were a little surprised. Just so many emotions running through my head in one period of time, it was crazy. Definitely the best feeling I’ve ever had.”
On if he had a clue he’d be drafted by the Caps after the combine interviews:
Lucas Johansen: “Our interviews weren’t too long… That’s why I was partially surprised. But it was a great interview. I had a good relationship with all the scouts that I met.”
On Kelowna being a defenseman factory:
Lucas Johansen: “They pick good hardworking people. People who want to strive for their goals and achieve their goals. Alongside of that, they have a great coaching staff that develops their players very well. It’s definitely good organization to be a part of.”
Advice from his brother:
Lucas Johansen: “It was funny. He was giving me a hard time. He said at the third pick, ‘this is the only time you can beat me.’ I’m not complaining going a little bit later to this team. His advice was just to enjoy it and soak it all in so I’m trying to do that.”
On playing his brother in the NHL:
Lucas Johansen: “We’ll have to shut him down. Show him what it’s all about.”
On what he needs to improve on:
Lucas Johansen: “I need to get stronger. I need to get faster, improve everything. Make sure I am on a steady incline. I’m very confident in my skating ability and my puck moving skills…I’ll be a defender in the NHL. It’s just a matter of getting stronger and faster.”
On why he ended up being a defenseman:
Lucas Johansen: “We [have] about five year [age] difference. Whenever we were playing hockey he always had possession, so I had to find a way to figure out how to defend him. As I grew older, I kind of liked having everything in front of me as a defenseman and being in control is kind of how I play the game. That’s how I fell into it.”
On who he idolized growing up:
Lucas Johansen: “I idolized Nick Lidstrom. How efficient he was, and how smart he was. It seemed like he was always two steps ahead of his opponent. That’s kind of how I want to play the game. If I could do half of what he does, I would be happy.”
On Madison Bowey:
Lucas Johansen: “He was kind of showing the younger guys the ropes there. He was the PP, the PK man. When I was on the bench I was making sure I was taking down mental notes given the fact I might have the opportunity the following year, which thankfully I did. He taught me a lot on and off the ice.”
A message to the fans from Caps First Round Pick @LucasJohansen97 #CapsDraft https://t.co/pFTzqQ3jS7
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 25, 2016
Headline photo: @Capitals
