Ryan Johnson is a former professional ice hockey player who played as a center and left winger. He was born on June 14, 1976, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Johnson started his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Owen Sound Platers in the 1993-94 season. He played for the Platers for three seasons and was named the team captain in his final year.
In 1994, Johnson was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Panthers in the 1998-99 season and played for the team for two seasons. In 2000, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he played for one season before being traded to the St. Louis Blues.
Johnson played for the Blues for five seasons and was known for his defensive skills and penalty killing abilities. He was named the team's best defensive forward in the 2003-04 season. In 2006, he signed with the Vancouver Canucks as a free agent and played for the team for three seasons. He was again known for his defensive skills and was a key player on the team's penalty kill.
In 2009, Johnson signed with the Chicago Blackhawks and played for the team for two seasons. He was a part of the team that won the Stanley Cup in the 2009-10 season, although he did not play in the playoffs due to an injury. In 2011, Johnson announced his retirement from professional hockey.
Throughout his career, Johnson was known for his work ethic and leadership abilities. He was often named a team captain or assistant captain and was respected by his teammates for his dedication to the game. He was also known for his community involvement and was a finalist for the NHL's King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2007, which recognizes a player's leadership and humanitarian contributions.
In total, Johnson played in 701 NHL games and scored 64 goals and 90 assists for 154 points. He was never a high-scoring player, but his defensive skills and penalty killing abilities made him a valuable asset to every team he played for. After his retirement, Johnson worked as a scout for the Canucks and later as a player development consultant for the Blackhawks.
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