In five days Jack Johnson went from the NCAA to the NHL

	No, this isn't the Jack Johnson with the soft voice and acoustic guitar, it's the more rugged NHL version. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
	RELATED • MUIR:  Nasty blueliner Johnson will be a huge hit in L.A.

By Scott Bell

It takes some people a lifetime to prepare for the NHL, but for Michigan sophomore defenseman Jack Johnson, it was a mere five days -- the length of time between his final collegiate game at the University of Michigan to his first NHL contest as a member of the Los Angeles Kings. The Indianapolis native completed the feat last Thursday, when he made his NHL debut.

The name Jack Johnson makes the majority of the United States think of a successful singer-songwriter (and many teenage girls swoon), those close to hockey know of this Johnson as one of the most well-rounded and revered American defenseman to come along in the past decade.

"If you're a hockey fan, Jack Johnson is one of the best -- if not the best -- defenseman that ever played here," Michigan coach Red Berenson said earlier this week. "You'd have a pretty strong case. I think the players who played with him would voice that opinion as well."

That's a pretty ringing endorsement, considering the Michigan hockey program has the most National Championships in NCAA history.

Johnson hopes he can leave a similar positive NHL legacy as a member of the Los Angeles Kings. If the internet buzz he's already creating is any indication of his future impact, he's off to a good start.

Fan sites, like letsgokings.com, have had a Jack Johnson watch ever since the Kings acquired the 20-year-old defenseman from the Carolina Hurricanes last September.

From absurd photoshops of Johnson climbing the Empire State Building to T-shirts donning his name and likeness to the creation of his new nickname -- JMFJ, and yes, it means what you think it does -- the diehards in Los Angeles are looking for Johnson to be the savior of their struggling franchise.

Johnson is no stranger to fan support. After arriving in Ann Arbor as a highly touted prospect two years ago, the maize-and-blue clad fanatics at Yost Ice Arena instantly fell in love with Johnson's big hits and surprisingly potent offense.

Chants of "Kill, Jack Kill" became commonplace at Michigan games. The Johnson love became a family affair, too. Johnson's dad, Jack Johnson, Sr., would dance for the student section at almost every second intermission. "(The fan support at Michigan) has been awesome," Johnson said following his final game with Michigan last Saturday night. "I think they like my dad more than me. It's been awesome here and I'll never forget it. It's just been a privilege playing here."

But with the Wolverines in his rear-view mirror, Johnson's now ready for his newest challenge. Considering most experts thought Johnson was making a big mistake even attending Michigan in the first place, Michigan fans should feel fortunate for the two years they got with the reigning CCHA Offensive Defenseman of the Year. Johnson, the No. 3 pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, two picks behind his close friend Sidney Crosby, verbally committed to Michigan back when he was 15-years-old.

When the Carolina Hurricanes drafted him, his maize-and-blue tie might have been a hint at his post-high school plans. When Carolina couldn't get him to sign after repeated attempts during his freshman year in Ann Arbor, the Hurricanes finally traded his rights to the Kings, who happily played the waiting game for a season.

Berenson, Johnson's coach for two years and the man who recruited him to Ann Arbor, has no problem with Johnson's decision. He actually told Johnson that once he's ready for the NHL, he'd drive him to the airport himself, understanding how ready his sophomore phenom already was for the NHL.

Since Johnson stayed in Denver following the team's 8-5 loss last Saturday and went directly to Los Angeles after finalizing his contract, Johnson never got to take Berenson up on his offer.

But Berenson has a compromise all set up for him and his Hollywood-bound star.

"Maybe I'll pick him up from the airport," Berenson joked.