Johnson '05 bids Midd fond farewell Inspirational student-athlete leaves with a ring and an IM T-shirt

Author: Andrea M. LaRocca

When Eric Johnson '05 was accepted to Boston University (BU) to play hockey, he jumped at the chance to live his dream of passing the puck for a nationally ranked Division I hockey team. But now, four years later, Johnson, who helped carry the Middlebury men's hockey team to a National Championship last year, will graduate wearing Middlebury blue and white instead of Boston's red and white. And he's that much happier for it.

Johnson, a Duluth, Minn. native, matriculated to BU for his freshman year in September 2001 with two of the highest academic honors that the university gives to incoming students: a place in the highly-competitive Arts and Science Honors Program and the title of University Scholar. As a first-year forward on the hockey team at BU, Johnson did not see much playing time, but he trained hard with the Terriers all the same.

However, Johnson wanted as much competition on the ice as off, and so halfway through his sophomore year, he decided to transfer to Middlebury to pursue a more academically oriented college education.

"BU didn't really work out," said Johnson. "I wanted more playing time and the coach said that I would be a great Division III player, so he helped me transfer to Middlebury."

In February 2003, Johnson joined the Class of '05, as well as the Middlebury men's hockey team. During his first year on the Panthers' ice, Johnson doubled at playing both attack and midfield and ended the season with a record of two assists in his eight appearances. Last year, however, he played in nearly all the games - 25 in total - and came out with one goal and four assists. Johnson's only goal in his Middlebury career was in a 7-1 win vs. Tufts in the NESCAC Quarterfinal on Feb 28, 2004, when goaltender Marc Scheuer '04 gave Johnson the puck deep in his own zone. Johnson took the puck the length of the ice on his own and fired a shot past the goaltender. Johnson and the Panthers went on to win the National Championship last year, and his ring takes pride of place in a cluttered trophy cabinet in his Duluth bedroom.

Coming off the championship title, however, Johnson had to make another decision. His major, International Studies with foci in Political Science and Spanish, required him to go abroad for a semester. Johnson chose to go to Spain and sacrificed his senior hockey season at Middlebury. Johnson, a hockey addict, made the decision after meeting with Men's Hockey Coach Bill Beaney, who still left the door open for Johnson to return to the team after returning from Spain. Johnson ultimately elected to forgo a chance for a second ring.

But Johnson wasn't about to give up sports altogether. In high school, Johnson played three years of varsity soccer and golf in addition to his four year career as a varsity hockey player - which included 80 hockey games, 26 goals, 44 assists and two spots on a select team - so he simply decided to take them all up again and join as many intramural (IM) teams as possible when he returned to Middlebury this January.

"It's all about the competition and the people," said Johnson about why he likes IM sports. "You walk around school and you see people that you might not think ever strive to be good at sports and then you get out on the field and you see sides of those people that you never even imagined."

"Edge," as his IM teammates affectionately refer to him, currently plays on the Xi Omega Great White Yaks soccer team at Middlebury, but to say that he simply plays is an understatement - he plays on these teams with gusto, pouring all his varsity athletic prowess into what some consider just an afternoon activity.

During the winter term, he anchored the Yaks' indoor soccer team as goalkeeper and led them to victory as the IM soccer champions. He hopes to do the same this spring season.

Johnson's athletic career at Middlebury, varsity and otherwise, is fast coming to a close, but while some players will leave with a freeze-frame image ingrained in their memory, Johnson will remember both the Kenyon crowd and the less celebrated but still rowdy IM sidelines.

"Playing well in front a large crowd is always a big thrill, but I can't say that I have a single moment that I'll remember, like a big goal or a big play," said Johnson.

"Edge" will graduate in two weeks proudly wearing Middlebury blue and white, and with his diploma, he will take with him unforgettable memories of the Middlebury ice and the long, competitive afternoons that he spent out on the athletic fields, pouring his heart into his IM sports games.

He may not play varsity anymore, but he'll always play like a Panther.