Lynn’s Johnson inks Providence pact

Chad Johnson of Lynn has signed a national letter of intent for a full hockey scholarship to Providence College.Johnson, a senior at the Tilton School in Tilton, N.H., made his college plans official last week.”Chad is a great talent. He has been a big part of our hockey program over the last couple of years, and we are excited to see him get this opportunity,” Tilton hockey coach Patrick Norton said.Johnson enrolled at Tilton as a sophomore, joining his older brother, Matt, who had left English High after his junior year to attend Tilton. The brothers played two years together (Matt entered Tilton as a junior), and they’ll likely be paired up again at Providence. After playing at Norwich University last year, the older Johnson opted to transfer to Providence. He has to sit out this year because of the transfer, but he’ll still have three years of eligibility remaining when Chad arrives next year.”I really believe that we have not yet seen how good a player he (Chad) can be,” Norton said. “I am looking forward to seeing him get older and develop as a player at the next level. I think that he will be a great fit at Providence.”As a junior, Johnson scored 17 goals and had 27 assists for 44 points. He was also the assistant captain. Johnson played his freshman year at Classical High, where he was part of a high-flying first line that also included Ryan Duggan and Tommy Adams. The trio, as a line, led the state in scoring that year. Adams left Classical after his sophomore year to attend Winchendon, but he returned to Lynn this year and is currently a senior at St. Mary’s. Duggan graduated from Classical last year and is now playing for the Salem Ice Dogs.Johnson could not be reached for a comment, but his father, former Lynn Tech athletic director Dave Johnson, said Chad liked the campus and felt very comfortable with the coaches.Providence College plays in Hockey East. Last year, the Friars finished 10-23-3.