Ryan Johansen

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Lore & Background

Johansen’s journey to the NHL began in the Greater Vancouver area before he joined the Penticton Vees of the BCHL for the 2008–09 season. Convinced by Portland Winterhawks coaches, he opted for major junior hockey over a Northeastern University scholarship, posting 69 points as a rookie in 2009–10. Following his selection by Columbus, he signed a three-year entry-level contract on September 9, 2010, though he returned to Portland for another WHL season. During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Johansen played for the Springfield Falcons, leading them in scoring before returning to Columbus after the agreement was reached. He later described hitting 'rock bottom' while benched during the 2012 Calder Cup playoffs, a low point that spurred him to gain muscle and return stronger.

In Their Own Story

On October 7, 2011, Johansen made his NHL debut against the Nashville Predators, logging 8 minutes and 46 seconds of ice time. Just weeks later, on October 25, he scored his first career goal alongside fellow rookie John Moore, marking the first time in franchise history two players scored their first goals in the same game. By mid-January 2012, Johansen was tied for the NHL lead among rookies with three game-winning goals and was selected to the 2012 All-Star Skills Competition. The defining moment of his tenure arrived on April 8, 2014, when he scored an overtime game-winner against the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 3:33 OT finish, leading Columbus to their first wild-card playoff spot. He capped that season by playing all 82 games with 63 points and was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week.

Reader's Guide

Fans should note Johansen’s unique path: drafted 150th overall in the 2007 WHL bantam draft, he rose to become a top-10 prospect by mid-season 2009–10. His early NHL tenure was marked by immediate impact; after scoring two goals and two assists in his first nine games, head coach Scott Arniel confirmed he would stay in the lineup rather than return to junior. In 2013–14, Johansen led the team with 27 points through 34 games by December 18, maintaining a nine-game point streak while taking the most face-offs (306) and winning 52.85% of them. His contract negotiations in the 2014 off-season were intense, with the team offering up to $46 million before settling on a deal where he received $3 million for the first two years and $6 million in the final year after missing most training camp.

Did You Know?

• Johansen was the third player in NHL history to tally two game-winning goals as his first career goals.
• He finished the 2013–14 season leading the Blue Jackets with 33 goals and 63 points while playing all 82 games.
• During the 2012–13 lockout, Johansen led the Springfield Falcons to a 5–1–1 start with six points in seven games.
• He was compared to Jason Spezza early in his career and modeled his game after Joe Thornton.