Every time the Marlies play, it’s the same story. If Andreas Johnsson doesn’t score or create a goal for his teammates, he’s the first man on the back check, disrupting plays with a deft stick lift or a quick cut into space for a deflection or interception.



It has been that way since the middle of last season, when Johnsson took over in a five-point weekend series against the Utica Comets. Before that, it was that way in the SHL with Frolunda, where Johnsson blossomed into one of the best scorers in the league after he sorted out undetected asthma and won Rookie of the Year. In his last season there, he was the team’s leading scorer and shot generator.



It was the same this September with the Leafs when Johnsson posted 10 shots, three points and a plus-3 rating in four preseason games. Then there was the six goals in 10 games during the Marlies’ playoff run last year.



He has become the Marlies’ most consistent player at both...