One false move, and Johnson is out for season

Blues defenseman Erik Johnson, a Bloomington native, tore two knee ligaments stepping out of a golf cart last week.

By BRIAN STENSAAS, Star Tribune

Last update: September 25, 2008 - 12:49 AM

Erik Johnson figured if he ever were to suffer a devastating injury it would come on the ice.

Instead, Johnson, a St. Louis Blues defenseman, "heard something funny" in his right knee when his foot got caught between the gas pedal and the brake while stepping out of his golf cart during a team outing last week.

That night, back in his hotel room, the knee swelled and he knew something was up, even though he had never endured a serious knee injury in his life.

An MRI on the knee Tuesday confirmed Johnson, the Bloomington native selected No. 1 overall in the 2006 NHL draft, tore two knee ligaments, the MCL and ACL, and will miss the season.

"I obviously feel [bad] about it, I didn't want this to happen," Johnson, 20, said Wednesday from St. Louis. "The only thing that can make this better is to have a positive outlook. I have to be positive. There's no sense in hanging my head."

As a rookie last season, the 6-4, 219-pounder scored five goals and had 28 assists in 69 games for the Blues. He was ready to build on that this season.

"That's probably the toughest part about it," Johnson said. "I got my rookie year out of the way, I knew what the league was like, I knew what I was capable of. I was so ready to take it to the next level this year.

"And it hurts to have my teammates, who were ready for me to be a key contributor, find out about it. I know they were counting on me."

Johnson was also worried about how management would react to such an injury, given how it happened. But he said the reaction from St. Louis brass has been comforting.

"The Blues have been very understanding," Johnson said. "They realize some things are out of your control, and it is what it is. There's nothing I can do about it now."

Johnson plans to return to Minnesota in the next couple of days and spend time with family while waiting for the swelling in his knee to subside. A decision on when to repair the tears will be made in "three weeks or maybe a little longer."

The time at home will be a chance for Johnson to be around some positive energy, he said. However, he also added that his mindset is fine despite being dealt such a difficult blow this early in his career.

"Maybe [in] a few years, a younger guy has the same type of injury [and] maybe I can lend a hand and tell him about my experience," Johnson said. "I think this will make me mentally stronger down the road."

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