Jim Johnson

Norman James Johnson (November 7, 1942 – May 4, 2021) was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre. He played eight seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Los Angeles Kings from 1964 to 1972. He went on to play three seasons in the World Hockey Association (WHA) with the Minnesota Fighting Saints and Indianapolis Racers from 1972 to 1975.

Early life Johnson was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on November 7, 1942. He played three seasons for the Winnipeg Rangers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League from 1959 to 1961, before joining the Sudbury Wolves of the Eastern Professional Hockey League the following season.

Professional career Johnson was signed by the New York Rangers during the 1963–64 season and played for the St. Paul Rangers, their minor league affiliate, until the latter part of 1964–65,

Johnson scored the first goal in Flyers' franchise history during an exhibition game. During his final NHL season in 1971–72, Johnson scored 21 goals in 74 games for the Flyers and Kings, both numbers representing career bests. He played three seasons with the Saints, with his best year coming in 1973–74 when he recorded 54 points (including 39 assists) in 71 games. He was traded to the Indianapolis Racers in November 1974, and finished his career with the team at the end of the season.

Later life After retiring from professional hockey, Johnson operated a sporting goods store in Transcona and coached in the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League. He was awarded the Nick Hill Trophy as coach of the year in the 1983–84 season while managing the Transcona Railers.

Johnson died on May 4, 2021, at the age of 78.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1959–60 Winnipeg Rangers MJHL 28 7 8 15 2 12 3 2 5 0 1960–61 Winnipeg Rangers MJHL 29 15 21 36 12 — — — — — 1960–61 Winnipeg Rangers M-Cup — — — — — 12 4 5 9 8 1961–62 Winnipeg Rangers MJHL 39 22 23 45 48 3 1 1 2 0 1962–63 Sudbury Wolves EPHL 70 16 36 52 16 8 1 4 5 2 1963–64 St. Paul Rangers CPHL 70 21 33 54 14 11 3 5 8 0 1964–65 New York Rangers NHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1964–65 St. Paul Rangers CPHL 61 19 45 64 14 11 4 6 10 7 1965–66 New York Rangers NHL 5 1 0 1 0 — — — — — 1965–66 Minnesota Rangers CPHL 62 24 46 70 12 7 3 2 5 0 1966–67 New York Rangers NHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1966–67 Omaha Knights CPHL 64 26 46 72 20 12 2 5 7 2 1967–68 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 13 2 1 3 2 — — — — — 1967–68 Quebec Aces AHL 59 27 45 72 14 15 5 8 13 10 1968–69 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 69 17 27 44 20 3 0 0 0 2 1969–70 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 72 18 30 48 17 — — — — — 1970–71 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 66 16 29 45 16 4 0 2 2 0 1970–71 Quebec Aces AHL 5 0 1 1 0 — — — — — 1971–72 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 46 13 15 28 12 — — — — — 1971–72 Los Angeles Kings NHL 28 8 9 17 6 — — — — — 1972–73 Minnesota Fighting Saints WHA 33 9 14 23 12 5 2 1 3 2 1973–74 Minnesota Fighting Saints WHA 71 15 39 54 30 11 1 4 5 4 1974–75 Minnesota Fighting Saints WHA 11 1 3 4 0 — — — — — 1974–75 Indianapolis Racers WHA 42 7 15 22 12 — — — — — WHA totals 157 32 71 103 54 16 3 5 8 6 NHL totals 302 75 111 186 73 7 0 2 2 2

Awards Honoured Member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame