53 Facts About Jim Johannson

James Johannson was an American ice hockey player, coach and executive.

Jim Johannson played for the United States national junior team at the World Juniors in 1983 and 1984, then played for the United States national team at the Winter Olympics in 1988 and 1992, the Ice Hockey World Championships in 1992, and was captain of the silver medal-winning team at the 1990 Goodwill Games.

Jim Johannson played 374 games in the International Hockey League after being selected by the Hartford Whalers in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft.

Jim Johannson won the Turner Cup as the IHL playoffs champion with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles in 1988, then again with the Indianapolis Ice in 1990.

Jim Johannson played 264 consecutive games spanning three seasons by 1991, and received the Ironman Award from the IHL in recognition of his durability.

Jim Johannson worked in several executive positions for USA Hockey from 2000 to 2018, co-operated with the United States Olympic Committee, and oversaw all men's and women's national hockey teams.

Jim Johannson helped acquire Compuware Arena to become the home rink for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, and was general manager of the men's national team at the 2018 Winter Olympics until his death three weeks before the games began.

Jim Johannson was posthumously given the Lester Patrick Trophy in recognition of growing hockey in the United States, received the Paul Loicq Award from the IIHF for contributions to international ice hockey, and inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.

Jim Johannson was son of Ken Johannson who served as general manager of the United States national team, and was the younger brother of professional hockey player John Johannson.

Jim Johannson played in the Minnesota state high school tournament with Mayo High School in 1982, and was tied as the tournament's leading scorer with seven points.

Jim Johannson was recruited by family friend Bob Johnson to play for the Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey program along with his older brother John.

Jim Johannson missed 12 games due to the injury, then completed his college career with 63 total goals in four seasons.

Jim Johannson received the Wisconsin Williamson Award as a scholar athlete, and was again named to the WCHA All-Academic team.

Jim Johannson graduated from Wisconsin with a degree in sport management, but was not offered a professional contract by the Hartford Whalers.

Jim Johannson scored 46 goals for EV Landsberg and felt that his skating improved while playing in Europe.

Jim Johannson became an unrestricted free agent after the season, then trained for two hours daily during the summer with skating coach Jack Blatherwick to become faster.

Jim Johannson scored five goals and two assists in his first eight games in the IHL.

Jim Johannson led the league with 15 assists during the 1988 playoffs, and scored eight goals to help the Golden Eagles win the Turner Cup as the IHL playoffs champions in 1988.

At the training camp for the Flames in 1988, coach Terry Crisp felt Jim Johannson deserved an opportunity despite the depth of the organization at the center and right wing positions.

Jim Johannson played in all 82 games during the season, scored 35 goals and 40 assists, then was released.

Jim Johannson discussed a potential contract with European and National Hockey League teams, then agreed to terms with the Chicago Blackhawks in October 1989 and was assigned to the Indianapolis Ice in the IHL.

Jim Johannson chose to sign with the Blackhawks since he had family ties to Indianapolis through his mother.

Jim Johannson received the Ironman Award from the IHL in recognition of his durability, and offensive and defensive skills.

Jim Johannson sought a contract with a team in Switzerland after the 1992 Winter Olympics, then took time off to discuss a contract with the Blackhawks and his plan to coach hockey when he retired from playing.

Jim Johannson returned to the Indianapolis Ice on March 13,1992, despite no future guarantee from the Blackhawks.

Jim Johannson retired from professional hockey after playing 374 games in the IHL, where he scored 119 goals and 279 points.

Jim Johannson played for the United States national team at the 1987 Pravda Cup in Leningrad, coached by Dave Peterson who later led the United States national team at the Winter Olympics in 1988 and 1992.

Jim Johannson was one of the first players cut from tryouts for the United States national team in advance of the 1988 Winter Olympics, but was later recalled and worked hard to be a role player on the team.

Jim Johannson credited the support from his father and brother as motivation to make the team.

Jim Johannson was invited to play for the United States national team in ice hockey at the 1990 Goodwill Games by his former university coach Jeff Sauer.

Jim Johannson served as captain of the team, scored two goals and had three assists in five games played, and led the United States to the silver medal.

Jim Johannson was the second oldest player on the team, and became a source of advice and leadership.

Jim Johannson had skill, but he was a responsible guy who you could put on the ice in the last minute of a game.

Two months later, Jim Johannson was a member of the United States national team at the 1992 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships in Prague, which saw a seventh-place finish for the United States.

Jim Johannson became involved in junior ice hockey when he was named head coach and general manager of the Twin Cities Vulcans in the United States Hockey League on June 13,1995.

Jim Johannson remained as general manager of the Vulcans and served as a scout for the Nashville Predators.

Jim Johannson felt that the Vulcans were victims of declining attendance and the southward geographical shift of the USHL from Minnesota to Iowa and Nebraska.

Jim Johannson felt that selling the team would strengthen the USHL, which transitioned into bigger budget teams based in cities where hockey was the primary sport.

Jim Johannson served as team leader for the United States national team at the World Championships from 1999 to 2004, and was the liaise between USA Hockey and coaching staffs.

Jim Johannson became senior director of hockey operations in August 2003, then assistant executive director of hockey operations in June 2007.

Jim Johannson oversaw administration for the 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships when USA Hockey hosted the event in North Dakota and Minnesota, and was a guest speaker at the World Hockey Summit in 2010.

Jim Johannson helped implement the American Development Model, and acquired Compuware Arena in 2014 to become the home rink for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.

Jim Johannson reportedly enjoyed international travel for these age groups and for the players to learn about the history of countries traveled to in addition to the hockey experience.

Jim Johannson wrote in 1992, that he had rituals before each game.

Jim Johannson played golf in addition to ice hockey, and resided in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Jim Johannson married Abigail Tompkins on September 10,2011, and had a daughter born in December 2015.

Jim Johannson died in his sleep due to heart disease at home in Colorado Springs on January 21,2018, three weeks before the 2018 Winter Olympics began.

At a conference of Minnesota State High School League athletic directors in 1999, Jim Johannson was recognized as a distinguished alumnus of Mayo High School.

Jim Johannson was posthumously inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018, and was given the Lester Patrick Trophy in 2018, in recognition of his efforts to grow hockey in the United States.

Jim Johannson was named a Paul Loicq Award recipient by the IIHF in 2019, in recognition of his contributions to international hockey.

Andrew Podnieks wrote, "[Jim Johannson] was a presence at most top-level IIHF events, representing both his country and the game with friendly dignity and a strong moral compass", and that "He was both professional and humble, competitive and ethical, hard-working and amiable".

David Shoalts wrote, "Jim Johannson is not a familiar name to many hockey fans but his contributions to the game in the United States went far beyond much more famous monikers", and that "Anyone who encountered Johannson was struck by his easygoing and humble nature".

League commissioner Gary Bettman stated, "In building the teams that achieved so much success for USA Hockey, Jim Johannson had a sharp eye for talent, a strong sense of chemistry and a relentless pursuit of excellence".