ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced today that the team has signed 2006 first overall draft pick, Erik Johnson.

“I had a great time playing for the University of Minnesota and would like to thank all my teammates and coaches,” said Johnson. “It was the right time for me to make the decision to turn pro with the St. Louis Blues and I cannot wait for the season to start.”

“We are very excited about Erik’s decision to join our hockey club next season,” said Davidson. “We wanted to give Erik the proper time to make the best decision for himself and his family.”

Johnson, 19, was the first overall selection by the Blues in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver, British Columbia. A native of Bloomington, MN., Johnson spent this past season with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, leading them to the WCHA Regular Season and WCHA Final Five Championships. He recorded 24 points (four goals, 20 assists) in 41 games played while being named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team. He led all WCHA rookie blue-liners in scoring while ranking third on Minnesota in scoring among defensemen.

Johnson will play for Team USA at the 2007 World Championships in Moscow, Russia from April 27-May 13. He represented the United States at the 2007 World Junior Championships, recording 10 points (four goals, six assists) in seven games while being named the best defenseman of the tournament, becoming only the second U.S. player in tournament history to receive the honor.

Prior to joining Minnesota, Johnson spent the previous two years with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, MI.

The 6-4, 222-pound defenseman has won two gold medals at the Ice Hockey Federation World Under-18 Championships.

Season	Club	League	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
2004-05	U.S. National	U-17/18	57	11	15	26	26
	World Championships	U-18	4	0	0	0	0
	Four Nations Cup	-	4	1	3	4	0
2005-06	U.S. National	U-18	47	16	33	49	88
	World Championships	U-18	6	4	6	10	27
	World Championships	U-20	7	1	3	4	18
2006-07	Minnesota	NCAA	41	4	20	24	50