Playing in the NHL runs in the family for Lucas Johansen
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — Lucas Johansen was just 12 years old when his older brother was drafted. He remembers looking over at his parents and noticing how sweaty their palms were. As Ryan Johansen experienced just about every emotion as he waited for his name to be called, Lucas focused on the bright lights at Staples Center instead of the tension next to him.
Ryan’s stress was short-lived, the fourth overall pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2010 NHL draft. When that pick was about to be announced at this summer’s NHL draft in Buffalo, Lucas was the one anxiously waiting, and Ryan decided to remind Lucas what was at stake.
“I kept saying, ‘As long as you don’t go top three, I’m fine,’ ” Ryan said earlier this summer. “I need to be able to keep those bragging rights.”