NEW YORK, October 9, 2020 – The New York Rangers announced today that the team has agreed to terms with free agent defenseman Jack Johnson.
Johnson, 33, has skated in 937 career NHL games over parts of 14 seasons (2006-07 – 2019-20) with the Los Angeles Kings, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Pittsburgh Penguins, registering 70 goals and 232 assists for 302 points, along with 521 penalty minutes. He has averaged at least 19:00 of ice time per game in each of his 13 full seasons in the NHL, as well as 20:00 or more of ice time per game in 10 of those 13 seasons. Johnson has tallied at least 20 assists and 30 points in five different seasons throughout his career. In addition, he has registered 100 or more blocked shots in nine different seasons and 100 or more hits in seven different seasons in the NHL. Johnson ranked fifth among NHL defensemen in hits in 2018-19 (233), establishing a career-high in hits during the season. He served as an alternate captain for several seasons during his tenure with the Blue Jackets.
The 6-1, 227-pounder skated in 67 games with Pittsburgh this past season, registering three goals and eight assists for 11 points, along with 26 penalty minutes. Johnson ranked second among Penguins defensemen in games played in 2019-20, and he averaged 19:28 of ice time per game during the season. He led the Penguins in blocked shots (97) and ranked second on the team (led team defensemen) in hits (183) this past season. Johnson tied for second on the Penguins (tied for first among team defensemen) in average shorthanded ice time in 2019-20 (2:12) while helping Pittsburgh rank tied for eighth in the NHL in penalty kill efficiency this past season (82.1%).
Internationally, the Indianapolis, Indiana native has represented the United States in numerous tournaments throughout his career. Johnson helped the United States earn a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics. He has represented the United States at the IIHF World Championship five times in his career (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012), serving as the team’s captain twice (2010 and 2012), and he also represented the United States at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Johnson was originally selected by Carolina in the first round, third overall, of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.