Jack Johnson (ice hockey)

Infobox Ice Hockey Player
team = Los Angeles Kings
prospect_team =
prospect_league =
league = NHL
position = Defense
shoots = Left
nickname = JJ, JMFJ
height_ft = 6
height_in = 1
weight_lb = 228
nationality = USA
birth_date = Birth date and age|1987|1|13|mf=y
birth_place = Indianapolis, IN, USA
draft = 3rd overall
draft_year = 2005
draft_team = Carolina Hurricanes
career_start = 2007

---

image_size = 250px

Jack Johnson (born John Joseph Louis Johnson III on January 13, 1987 in Indianapolis, Indiana) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman. He currently plays for the Los Angeles Kings.

Playing career

Jack Johnson was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round, 3rd overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. On September 29, 2006, Johnson's rights, along with Oleg Tverdovsky were traded to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Tim Gleason and Éric Bélanger. The trade has been widely considered a steal for Los Angeles.POV-statement=October 2008

Johnson played two seasons for the University of Michigan in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. During his first year, he set the school record for single-season penalty minutes (149) and points (32) by a freshman defenseman. The next year, he set the school record for the most goals (16) by a sophomore defenseman in a single season and was named the CCHA Offensive Defenseman of the Year.cite news | last = Colvin | first = Amber | publisher = The Michigan Daily | title = Star Defenseman Hits Road To NHL | url = http://www.michigandaily.com/content/star-defenseman-hits-road-nhl | date = 2007-03-26 | accessdate = 2008-10-08] During his tenure at Michigan, Johnson became a fan favorite for his physicality and end-to-end play.

After Michigan lost in the West Regional Semifinals of the 2007 NCAA Tournament, Johnson stayed in Denver while the rest of his team flew back to Ann Arbor.

Johnson signed with the Kings in March 2007 and played his first NHL game March 29, 2007 against the Vancouver Canucks. Johnson would play five games on the season, recording eighteen penalty minutes and no points. Johnson recorded his first NHL point on October 10, 2007; assisting a Kyle Calder goal in a loss to the Dallas Stars. His first goal came against goalie Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks.

Although just a rookie, Johnson has played significant minutes in his first full year at the NHL level, primarily at even strength but also penalty kill situations and (less frequently) on the power play. He is currently second on the Kings in total Time On Ice for all skaters, and third per game, averaging over 21 minutes, and has occasionally led the team in TOI for a game or exceeded 30 minutes on the ice in one game.

Trivia

*He has been best friends with Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby ever since they played together at Shattuck-Saint Mary'sFact|date=February 2008
*Jack Johnson shortly attended Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills, MI.
*Johnson accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Michigan he was only 14.

Awards & achievements

*2006: IIHF World Junior Championship All-Star Team
*2007: CCHA Offensive Defenseman of the Year

Transactions

*July 30, 2005 - Drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 1st round, 3rd overall.
*September 29, 2006 - Rights traded to the Los Angeles Kings with Oleg Tverdovsky for Tim Gleason and Eric Belanger.

Career statistics

ee also

*List of NHL seasons
*List of NHL players

References

External links

*
* [http://hockeysfuture.com/prospect/jack_johnson Profile on hockeysfuture.com]
* [http://www.jackjohnson3.com Jack Johnson's Official Website]