Blackhawks prospect Johns out 2-3 weeks after Monday injury

When IceHogs defenseman and Blackhawks prospect Stephen Johns grabbed his left knee after checking the Wolves’ Terry Broadhurst into the boards Monday it looked like the rookie defenseman’s season could be in jeopardy. After being checked, Broadhurst ricocheted off the wall and into Johns’ left leg, with the left knee flexing in an unnatural way.

Fortunately for Johns, his season isn’t over. IceHogs coach Ted Dent said Johns will be out 2-3 weeks, though the absence comes three games after he missed almost two months with an upper-body injury.

“He was playing well and obviously our team needs him in the lineup, he makes a big difference,” Dent told Rockford media. “He’s got a lower-body injury and he’s probably two or three weeks away.”

Also on Wednesday, the AHL announced that T.J. Brennan has been voted a Western Conference starter in Monday’s all-star game and that Mark McNeill will replace forward Joakim Nordstrom. Named the Rockford captain earlier this season, Nordstrom is currently with the Blackhawks.

Brennan leads Rockford with 31 points.

“Looking at his stat line from last year and this year and his whole pro career… he’s an unbelievable player. Talents you don’t see every day,” Johns said Saturday about Brennan. “It’s fun to play with him. It’s fun to watch him play. There couldn’t be a better guy in the locker room. He’s a great leader and he’s just an all-around good guy.”