Jack Johnson was one of the six players on the ice for the Colorado Avalanche in the second period of Game 6 when Artturi Lehkonen scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in 2022. Johnson will be on the ice no longer, hanging up his skates on Tuesday to join the Vancouver Canucks as a pro scout.
The 38-year-old defenseman spent three seasons in Colorado and appeared in 206 games with the Avalanche, serving as a steady, veteran presence on the blue line during a pivotal stretch in franchise history.
Johnson signed with Colorado as a free agent ahead of the 2021-22 season, providing depth and experience to a roster built to contend. He appeared in 59 games that regular season before suiting up for 13 playoff games during the Avalanche’s run to their third title. In 57 career playoff games, Johnson recorded 21 points, with several of those coming in an Avalanche sweater.
He was one of the more well-liked veterans in the locker room during his tenure with the team, earning respect from younger players and coaching staff alike. He spent three years in Colorado, across two stints.
Johnson finished his career with 342 points (77 goals, 265 assists) in 1,228 regular-season games, making him the 19th player in league history to win a Stanley Cup after skating in 1,000 career games.
1,228 NHL games and one #StanleyCup later, Jack Johnson is officially hanging them up. 🫡
Thank you for everything, Jack! pic.twitter.com/nvtHl8uCkf
— NHL (@NHL) January 6, 2026
Johnson’s new job in Vancouver reunites him with Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford, who drafted the Indianapolis native third overall as the Carolina Hurricanes’ general manager in 2005 and later signed him in Pittsburgh.
Johnson attended the University of Michigan, where he set a freshman record of 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists) in 2005-06. He represented the United States at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, winning a silver medal, and earned a bronze at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship.
His 19-year NHL journey took him through six organizations: the Los Angeles Kings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks. His final game in the NHL was late last season.
Johnson appeared in 41 games for the Blue Jackets last season and attended the Minnesota Wild’s training camp on a professional tryout in September, but did not make the roster.
