Jack Johnson (ice hockey)

Jack Johnson
Johnson with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2018
Born	(1987-01-13) January 13, 1987 (age 34) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	227 lb (103 kg; 16 st 3 lb)
Position	Defense
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Colorado Avalanche Los Angeles Kings Columbus Blue Jackets Pittsburgh Penguins New York Rangers
National team	United States
NHL Draft	3rd overall, 2005 Carolina Hurricanes
Playing career	2007–present

John Joseph LouisJohnson III (born January 13, 1987) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Los Angeles Kings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers. In his prime, he was known as a capable two-way defenseman, combining physical prowess and offensive capabilities in his style of play. ^[1]

Following two years with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, Johnson was selected third overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. After a year at the University of Michigan, his rights were traded to the Los Angeles Kings. He played another year at Michigan before signing his first professional contract with the Kings. In February 2012, he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets after five seasons in Los Angeles. In 2018, he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins in free agency. But after two disappointing campaigns, ^{[2] [3]} he was bought out by the Penguins and he signed a one-year contract with the Rangers.

Johnson has represented the United States on the international stage multiple times, most notably playing for Team USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Playing career

Amateur

Johnson's family moved to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan from Indianapolis shortly after he was born. He grew up playing for Little Caesar's in junior hockey. Johnson transferred to Shattuck-Saint Mary's Boarding School in Faribault, Minnesota before his eighth-grade year. ^[4] As a sophomore during the 2002–03 hockey season, Johnson scored 15 goals and 27 assists as he helped the school's Midget Major AAA team win the U.S. National Championship along with current NHL player and teammate Sidney Crosby.

Johnson was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round, third overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft from the Team USA under-18 national team, but did not immediately jump to the NHL, instead playing for the University of Michigan in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). In his freshman season, Johnson set school records for points (32) and penalty minutes (149) by a freshman defenseman. After his freshman season, however, with the Hurricanes needing a defenseman and Johnson having committed to another collegiate season (the Hurricanes had tried to sign him after his freshman season ended), ^[5] his rights were traded on September 29, 2006, along with Oleg Tverdovsky, to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Tim Gleason and Éric Bélanger. ^[6]

After his rights were traded, Johnson played one more season for the Wolverines, setting the school record for the most goals (16) by a sophomore defenseman in a single season and was named the CCHA Offensive Defenseman of the Year. ^[7] During his tenure at Michigan, Johnson became a fan favorite for his physicality and end-to-end play.^{[ citation needed ]}

Johnson with the Los Angeles Kings in 2009

Professional

Los Angeles Kings

After Michigan lost in the West Regional Semi-finals of the 2007 NCAA Tournament, rather than return to Michigan and finish the semester, Johnson jumped to the NHL and signed his entry-level contract with the Kings in March 2007, making his NHL debut on March 29 against the Vancouver Canucks. ^[8] He played five games on the season, recording 18 penalty minutes and no points. Johnson recorded his first NHL point on October 10, 2007, assisting a Kyle Calder goal in a loss to the Dallas Stars. His first goal came on October 19, 2007, against goaltender Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks. Johnson scored three goals and eight assists that season.

Early in the 2008–09 season, Johnson suffered a shoulder injury and missed 41 games after needing surgery. ^[9]

During the 2009–10 season, Johnson greatly improved his game, scoring eight goals and 28 assists, second only to Drew Doughty in defensive scoring for the Kings. His play earned him a selection to the Team USA at the 2010 Olympics, along with Kings' captain Dustin Brown; the two eventually won the silver medal.

On January 8, 2011, Johnson signed a seven-year extension with the Kings. At the time of the deal, Johnson led all Kings' defensemen in points scored with four goals and 24 assists. The contract carried an annual $4.3 million salary cap hit. ^{[10] [11]} He ended the 2010–11 season with a career-high 42 points, ranking sixth among all Kings skaters. His 2011–12 season with the Kings, however, was a tough one, as he failed to score at the pace he set in the previous season, recording only 24 points in 61 games by February 12, 2012.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Johnson playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2013.

On February 23, 2012, Johnson was traded by the Kings to the Columbus Blue Jackets, along with a conditional first-round draft pick (Marko Daňo), in exchange for Jeff Carter. ^[12] Upon arriving in Columbus, Johnson took the jersey number 7, which had previously been worn by Carter. During a March 8 game against his former team, the Kings, the Blue Jackets offered their fans a one night offer to have their Carter jersey nameplates changed to "J. Johnson" nameplates for free. ^[13] Playing in 21 games for the Jackets after his trade, he recorded four goals and ten assists, for a total of 14 points. ^[14] Johnson declared that he had no hard feelings in leaving Los Angeles, given that "people [in Columbus] accepting me with such open arms," ^[15] and "I was looking forward to my new opportunity and getting the chance to play and be myself in Columbus." Johnson added that he did not follow the Kings' subsequent run to win the Stanley Cup, as he was in Finland playing for Team USA at the 2012 IIHF World Championship. ^[16]

With the 2012–13 NHL lockout halting play to start the year, Johnson spent the lockout training so he would be in the top shape once the game returned. ^[17] In the shortened 2012–13 season, Johnson was one of the Blue Jackets' alternate captains, and was considered the de facto leader of the team as Columbus nearly qualified for the 2013 playoffs. ^[18] He scored one of his team's goals in the season closer against the Nashville Predators, ^{[19] [20]} and broke the Blue Jackets record for most ice time in regulation, nearing 35 minutes in a game against the Detroit Red Wings, which was also the individual record for the season. ^[15] After his impressive showing of both on-ice skill and leadership, Johnson was considered a front-runner to become Columbus' first full-fledged captain since Rick Nash, ^[21] though the Blue Jackets ultimately named Nick Foligno as the team's next captain. ^[22]

Johnson struggled during the first half of the 2013–14 season, with only 11 points in 43 games by January, ^[23] a factor in the decision to not include Johnson on Team USA for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi ^[24] despite being considered by many to be a lock for the team. ^[25] His play improved in the new year, however, and Johnson scored 22 points in the 39 remaining games to finish the year with five goals and 33 points and help the Blue Jackets clinch their first playoff berth since 2009. The Blue Jackets lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the playoffs. Johnson led all Blue Jackets players in playoff scoring, with three goals and seven points in the six-game series, including two assists in a narrow 4–3 loss on home ice that knocked the Blue Jackets out of the playoffs. ^[26]

On January 13, 2018, it was reported that Johnson requested a trade from the Jackets, citing a reduced role as well as a desire to better position himself as a free agent in the summer. ^[27] Despite his earlier trade request, Johnson remained a member of the Blue Jackets after the trade deadline had passed on February 26.

Pittsburgh Penguins

On June 27, 2018, it was reported that the Pittsburgh Penguins were interested in signing him in the free agency period. ^[28] Johnson's signing was made official by the Penguins on July 1, 2018, announcing a five-year, $16.25 million agreement. ^[29] Johnson wore number 73 for the Penguins as veteran Matt Cullen wore his usual number 7. ^[30] For the 2019–20 season, Johnson again changed his number from 73 to the number 3 following the departure of Olli Määttä, who had previously worn that number.

On October 5, 2020, the Penguins placed Johnson on unconditional waivers for the purpose of buying out the remaining three years on his contract. ^{[31] [32]} The following day, Johnson cleared waivers, making him a free agent.

New York Rangers

On October 9, 2020, Johnson signed a one-year, $1.15 million contract with the New York Rangers. ^[33] Johnson appeared in 13 games with the Rangers during the 2021 NHL season before it was announced on March 20, 2021 that he would undergo a core muscle repair surgery, effectively ending his season. ^[34]

Colorado Avalanche

As an unrestricted free agent (UFA) heading into the 2021–22 NHL campaign, Johnson was invited to the Colorado Avalanche 2021 training camp on a professional tryout (PTO) contract on September 1, 2021. ^[35] After participating in training camp and appearing in 5 out of 6 pre-season games with the Avalanche, Johnson made the club's final roster to open the 2021–22 season, securing a one-year, $750,000 contract, on October 10, 2021. ^[36] On October 13, 2021, Johnson scored the Avalanche's first goal of the 2021–22 season against the Chicago Blackhawks.

International play

Johnson warming up before the preliminary round game against Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Medal record
Representing   United States
Olympic Games
	2010 Vancouver
World Junior Championships
	2007 Sweden
World U18 Championships
	2005 Czech Republic
	2004 Belarus

Johnson was first selected to the United States junior team at the 2004 IIHF World Championship. Despite failing to medal in the 2006 World Junior Championships, he was selected to the All-Star Team of the Tournament.

Johnson was named to his first Olympic team on January 1, 2010. Johnson marched on behalf of the United States Olympic team in the opening ceremony in Vancouver on February 12, 2010, being the first American-born NHL player to march in the Olympic opening ceremony. ^[37] In six games with Team USA, Johnson collected one assist and helped claim a silver medal. In the following 2010 IIHF World Championship, he was selected and named as captain of Team USA.

Personal life and legal issues

Johnson is married to Kelly Quinn, the sister of former National Football League (NFL) quarterback Brady Quinn.

On November 20, 2014, the Columbus Dispatch reported that Johnson had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, claiming just $50,000 in assets against $10 to $15 million in estimated debts. ^[38] Shortly after signing his first major contract, a seven-year, $30.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Kings, Johnson granted his mother, Tina Johnson, power of attorney over all his finances. Over the next few years, she and Johnson's father, John II, took out several large, high-interest loans against Johnson's future earnings, a lending practice known as "monetizing," and spent the money on homes, cars and travel. ^[39]

Lenders, among whom was Iowa Congressman-elect Rod Blum, eventually brought three lawsuits against Johnson for defaulting on over $6 million in debt. In court documents, Johnson claimed to have had no knowledge of his parents' spending, but will not pursue criminal charges against them. He has sued Miller, National Mortgage Resources and an investment firm, CYA Investments, for at least $1.5 million, including for punitive damages. ^[38] By 2016, Johnson had come to an agreement with almost all of his creditors and agreed to liquidate two homes and a luxury car and would only keep $246,000 each of the next two seasons, making him the "lowest-paid player in the NHL for the next two seasons." ^[40]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2002–03	Shattuck-Saint Mary's	Midget		48	15	27	42	136		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	U.S. NTDP U17	USDP		31	12	9	21	78		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	U.S. NTDP U18	NAHL		29	3	12	15	93		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	U.S. NTDP U18	USDP		26	5	9	14	86		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	U.S. NTDP U18	NAHL		12	7	10	17	57		—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	University of Michigan	CCHA		38	10	22	32	149		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	University of Michigan	CCHA		36	16	23	39	83		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		5	0	0	0	18		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		74	3	8	11	76		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		41	6	5	11	46		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		80	8	28	36	48		6	0	7	7	6
2010–11	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		82	5	37	42	44		6	1	4	5	0
2011–12	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		61	8	16	24	24		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL		21	4	10	14	15		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL		44	5	14	19	12		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL		82	5	28	33	48		6	3	4	7	4
2014–15	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL		79	8	32	40	44		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL		60	6	8	14	25		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL		82	5	18	23	32		5	1	1	2	0
2017–18	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL		77	3	8	11	22		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		82	1	12	13	41		3	0	0	0	6
2019–20	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		67	3	8	11	26		4	0	0	0	0
2020–21	New York Rangers	NHL		13	1	0	1	8		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				950	71	232	303	529		30	5	16	21	16

International

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2004	United States	U17		5	3	1	4	16
2004	United States	WJC18		6	2	0	2	18
2005	United States	WJC18		6	0	2	2	35
2006	United States	WJC		7	1	5	6	45
2007	United States	WJC		7	3	0	3	14
2007	United States	WC		7	1	0	1	0
2009	United States	WC		9	5	2	7	10
2010	United States	OG		6	0	1	1	2
2010	United States	WC		6	0	3	3	4
2011	United States	WC		7	1	2	3	8
2012	United States	WC		8	3	1	4	16
2016	United States	WCH		2	0	0	0	0
Junior totals				31	9	8	17	128
Senior totals				45	10	9	19	40

Awards and honors

Award	Year
College
All-CCHA Rookie Team	2005–06
All-CCHA First Team	2006–07	[41]
AHCA West First-Team All-American	2006–07
CCHA All-Tournament Team	2007	[42]

Transactions

• July 30, 2005 – Drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round, third overall.
• September 29, 2006 – Rights traded to the Los Angeles Kings with Oleg Tverdovsky in exchange for Tim Gleason and Éric Bélanger.
• March 24, 2007 – Signed to a three-year entry-level contract by the Kings.
• January 8, 2011 – Signed a seven-year contract extension with the Kings.
• February 23, 2012 – Traded to Columbus Blue Jackets with the Kings' first round pick 2013 (Marko Daňo) for Jeff Carter.
• July 1, 2018 — Signed a five-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• October 9, 2020 — Signed a one-year contract with the New York Rangers.

References

1. "Jack Johnson player profile". The Hockey News . March 4, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
2. Cook, Ron (October 5, 2020). "Much-maligned Jack Johnson just didn't do enough for Penguins" . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
3. Marshall, Jesse (August 25, 2020). "Marshall: Why the 'anti-Jack Johnson people' are right" . The Athletic. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
4. http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/091505aaa.html
5. DeCock, Luke (May 2009). "Canes Grow from Within". The Hockey News.
6. "Canes trade top prospect Johnson in multiplayer deal". ESPN. October 1, 2006. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
7. Colvin, Amber (March 26, 2007). "Star Defenseman Hits Road To NHL". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
8. "Canucks top Kings, extend lead in Northwest". ESPN. March 29, 2007. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
9. Elliott, Helene (October 13, 2008). "Update on Kings' Jack Johnson injury". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 25, 2010.
10. Hammond, Rich (January 8, 2011). "Details on Johnson's Contract". Los Angeles Kings. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
11. "Jack Johnson, Defenseman, Los Angeles Kings". Archived from the original on October 17, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
12. "Jeff Carter traded for Jack Johnson". ESPN. February 23, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
13. "TONIGHT ONLY! Bring your Carter jersey to team store by end of 1st period, we'll change nameplate to J.Johnson for FREE! Quantities limited". Columbus Blue Jackets Official Twitter. March 8, 2012.
14. "Jack Johnson Career Stats". NHL.com. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
15. Dillman, Lisa (February 5, 2013). "Former Kings defenseman Jack Johnson prospering in Columbus". Los Angeles Times.
16. "5 Questions: Jack Johnson likes carrying load in Columbus". CBC News.
17. Lisa Dillman (February 5, 2013). "Former Kings defenseman Jack Johnson prospering in Columbus". LA Times . Retrieved November 11, 2017.
18. Portzline, Aaron (April 27, 2013). "Playoff believer". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
19. "Gamcenter". NHL.com. April 27, 2013.
20. Miller, Rusty (April 27, 2013). "Blue Jackets win finale, but miss playoffs". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
21. Allen, Kevin (February 1, 2013). "Who could be the Blue Jackets' next captain?". USA Today.
22. NHL (May 20, 2015). "Nick Foligno named sixth captain in Blue Jackets history". NHL.com. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
23. Andrew Roman (January 10, 2014). "Fanning the Flames: Now Jack Johnson is Disappointed in USA Hockey". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
24. Andrew Roman (January 10, 2014). "Fanning the Flames: Now Jack Johnson is Disappointed in USA Hockey". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
25. Burnside, Scott (January 4, 2014). "How the U.S. hockey team was named". ESPN. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
26. "Jack Johnson Career Stats". NHL.com. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
27. "Report: Jack Johnson requests trade from Blue Jackets". Sportsnet.com. January 13, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
28. Bombulie, Jonathan (June 27, 2018). "Penguins set to sign Jack Johnson, according to reports". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
29. "Penguins Sign Defenseman Jack Johnson to a Five-Year Contract". Pittsburgh Penguins. July 1, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
30. Bombulie, Jonathan (July 2, 2018). "When it comes to jersey numbers, seniority rules for newest Penguins". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
31. @frank_seravalli (October 5, 2020). "Hearing #pens plan to buyout D Jack Johnson today" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
32. @penguins (October 5, 2020). "The Penguins have extended qualifying offers to five restricted free agents: Pontus Aberg, Anthony Angello, Sam Laf…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
33. NHL.com (October 9, 2020). "Johnson agrees to one-year, $1.15 million contract with Rangers". NHL Enterprises. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
34. "Johnson out rest of season for Rangers after core muscle repair surgery". NHL.com. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
35. @Avalanche (September 1, 2021). "A little news: Veteran defenseman Jack Johnson has agreed to a PTO to attend training camp with the Avalanche. #GoAvsGo" (Tweet). Retrieved September 5, 2021– via Twitter.
36. "Avalanche signs Jack Johnson". Colorado Avalanche. October 10, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
37. "Jack Johnson will march in opening ceremony for U.S". CTV . February 8, 2010. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
38. Portzline, Aaron (November 20, 2014). "Blind-sided: Blue Jackets' Jack Johnson is bankrupt; who led him there is biggest shocker". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
39. Macramalla, Eric (November 25, 2014). "Bankruptcy Of NHL's Jack Johnson: Another Sad Case Of Parents Blowing An Athlete's Money". forbes.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
40. Pack, Joe (November 12, 2016). "Report: Jack Johnson reaches bankruptcy settlement". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
41. "All-CCHA Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
42. "2012-13 CCHA Media Guide". ISSUU.com. Retrieved April 23, 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jack Johnson (ice hockey) .

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Eurohockey.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database , or  TSN.ca
• Profile on hockeysfuture.com

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Andrew Ladd	Carolina Hurricanes first round draft pick 2005	Succeeded by Brandon Sutter
Preceded by Andy Greene	CCHA Best Offensive Defenseman 2006–07	Succeeded by Tyler Eckford