Erik Johnson hung up his skates last week and was instantly handed a microphone this week — the longtime Colorado Avalanche defenseman will work for ESPN in the broadcast booth during this season.

Johnson was one of the most likable players in the NHL during his 17-year career. The Avs loved him so much that they even brought him back into the burgundy and blue at the trade deadline last season, but that was the last chapter of his playing days, despite him looking for some more. Instead, he finds it just off the ice, talking about hockey.

“I would have — if the right opportunity popped up — I would have loved to have kept playing. It didn’t work like that,” Johnson said last week. “That’s fine. I stayed ready and skated up until the end to see if anything popped up. But honestly, I’m super happy with my decision. I feel really good about it. I’m happy, and I would have loved it to work out, but [I’m] pretty grateful for everything that I’ve accomplished and been able to do.”

Johnson hinted at his coming gig with ESPN during his retirement news conference.

“I’m going to try and do a few different things this year and see what I like,” he said. “I’m going to do color commentary for DU and Air Force games and studio for the Avs, and something else that I can’t say right now that might be popping up here. And then I’m going to have a really good relationship with Danny Briere, so I’m going to help out him and the Flyers this year a little bit too.”

As a kid I idolized Thorne, Clement, Melrose, Levy & Buccigross. To call games with some of them on @espn is going to be surreal. Can’t wait, let’s go! https://t.co/wx4GGaJxlB

— Erik Johnson (@6ErikJohnson) October 14, 2025

 

 

The Avs originally traded for the former first overall pick, Johnson, in 2011, sending out Kevin Shattenkirk among other things. He stayed in Colorado until 2023 and came back last spring when the Avs traded back for him by sending out Givani Smith.

Johnson has played 731 regular-season games for the Avs, the eighth-most in franchise history. The 37-year-old was key to Colorado’s Cup win in 2022, going plus 10 with five points over the Avs 20-game run through to a title. Those were some of the 57 games he played for Colorado in the playoffs.

We’ll likely hear from the champion, Olympic medalist and beloved condor soon, something everyone in Denver will be happy about.