Johnson, Peters return to Wichita

WICHITA, Kan. – The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Bakersfield Condors, announced the re-signing of forward Stephen Johnson and defenseman Alex Peters. 

Johnson returns to Wichita for his second pro season. A native of Moncton, New Brunswick, the 26-year-old came to Wichita last February. He earned a key role on the penalty kill and finished his rookie year with 18 points (6g-12a) in 47 games. 

He attended Saint Mary's University before turning pro. Johnson spent four seasons with the Huskies and served as an alternate captain during his senior campaign. He finished with 37 points (19g-18a) in 30 games in 2019-20 and led the team in goals. Johnson was named to the Atlantic USports Second All-Star Team. Overall, he appeared in 119 games for the Huskies, tallying 76 points (31g-45a).

Prior to heading to college, he played for his hometown team, Moncton Wildcats, of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Johnson was team captain two years in a row, piling up 119 points (49g-70a) in 226 career games. He also had 25 points (16g-9a) in 41 career playoff games.

Peters also returns to Wichita for his second season as a pro. He joined the Thunder last March and finished with 12 points (4g-8a) in 35 games. 

Prior to turning pro, he spent three seasons at Saint Mary's University. In 2018-19, he was selected to the USports Second All-Star Team after recording 13 points (5g-8a) in 20 games. He finished his collegiate career with 33 points (9g-24a) in 51 games over three seasons. 

A native of Blyth, Ontario, Peters played five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with Plymouth and Flint. He was named as the team captain in 2014-15 for Plymouth and then earned that same honor in back-to-back seasons with Flint from 2015-17. He notched 71 points (14g-57a) in 239 career games during his junior career. Peters was selected in the third round (75th overall) by the Dallas Stars in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.