Greg Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Greg Johnson |
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| Born | March 16, 1971 Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada |
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| Died | July 7, 2019 (aged 48) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
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| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | ||
| Weight | 194 lb (88 kg; 13 st 12 lb) | ||
| Position | Centre | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Detroit Red Wings Pittsburgh Penguins Chicago Blackhawks Nashville Predators |
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| National team | .svg){kind=small} Canada |
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| NHL Draft | 33rd overall, 1989 Philadelphia Flyers |
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| Playing career | 1994–2006 | ||
Gregory C. Johnson (March 16, 1971 – July 7, 2019) was a talented Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played as a centre in the National Hockey League (NHL) for many years. Greg was known for his skill and leadership on the ice.
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Greg Johnson's Early Years
Greg Johnson was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. He started his hockey journey playing for the Thunder Bay Flyers in the USHL. In 1989, he won the Forward of the Year award and helped his team win the Clark Cup.
College Hockey Success
After his time in the USHL, Greg played college hockey at the University of North Dakota. He was a star player there, known for his amazing passing and scoring. He was named to the All-WCHA First Team three times. He also earned All-American honours multiple times, showing he was one of the best college players in the country.
Playing for Team Canada
Before joining the NHL, Greg also played for the Canadian National Team. He represented Canada at the World Junior Championships in 1991, where his team won a gold medal. He also played in the World Championships in 1993. A big moment in his career was playing for Canada at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, where his team won a silver medal.
Greg Johnson's NHL Career
Greg Johnson was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1989. However, he started his NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings in the 1993-94 season. He quickly became a reliable player, known for his strong two-way game (meaning he was good at both offense and defense).
Playing for Different Teams
Over his career, Greg played for several NHL teams:
- Detroit Red Wings (1993–1997)
- Pittsburgh Penguins (1997)
- Chicago Blackhawks (1997–1998)
- Nashville Predators (1998–2006)
He spent the longest part of his NHL career with the Nashville Predators. He was a key player for them, even serving as their team captain. He played over 700 NHL games, scoring many goals and assists throughout his career.
Awards and Honours
Greg Johnson received many awards and honours during his hockey career:
USHL Awards
- Forward of the Year: 1989
- Clark Cup (with Thunder Bay Flyers): 1989
College Hockey Awards
