When Dallas Stars fans start to fret about how the team develops young defensemen, perhaps the parable of Stephen Johns can help to assuage their worries.
The 25-year-old blueliner endured a difficult 2016-17 campaign, in which his on-ice production suffered and healthy scratches eroded his confidence. But Johns says he adjusted his attitude to take those obstacles in stride:
“My mindset coming into this year was if you don’t play, work harder,” Johns said. “We’re all part of the team and all part of the process, and we all have to chip in whenever possible.