Erik Johnson
First overall pick in 2006; Stanley Cup champion with Colorado.
Erik Robert Johnson, nicknamed the "Condor," is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who spent 17 seasons in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche, Buffalo Sabres, and Philadelphia Flyers. Born on March 21, 1988, he was selected first overall by the Blues in the 2006 NHL entry draft. Johnson won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022 and has also played for the United States in multiple international tournaments.
Johnson came up through USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program and played one season at the University of Minnesota before joining the NHL with St. Louis in 2007. In 2011, he was traded to Colorado, where he spent 13 seasons. He then signed with the Buffalo Sabres for the 2023–2024 season. On March 7, 2025, he was traded back to the Colorado Avalanche organization from the Philadelphia Flyers.
Before turning pro, Johnson attended the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, Minnesota, where he played as a freshman and sophomore. In the 2003–04 season, he led all defensemen in scoring with 13 goals and 34 points, earning a spot on the Missota All-Conference Team. At age 16, he moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to join the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
During the 2004–05 season, he split time between the U.S. under-17 and under-18 teams, recording 26 points in 57 games—the most among defensemen. The following season, he led the under-18 squad with 49 points in 47 games. Scouts noted his hybrid two-way style and physicality, and he was picked first overall in the 2006 NHL draft by the Blues. He became the first American-born defenseman taken first overall without having played Canadian major junior or college hockey. He joined a group of five Americans (later eight, including Patrick Kane, Auston Matthews, and Jack Hughes) to be chosen first overall, alongside Rick DiPietro (2000), Bryan Berard (1995), Mike Modano (1988), and Brian Lawton (1983).
After committing to the University of Minnesota, Johnson became the first Golden Gopher and the first Minnesotan to be selected first overall. Despite interest in turning pro, the Blues did not sign him immediately, making him the first player in 44 years to play college hockey after being picked first overall.
- Born
- March 21, 1988
- Position
- Defenseman
- Nhl seasons
- 17
- Draft
- First overall, 2006 NHL entry draft (St. Louis Blues)
- Stanley cup
- 2022 (Colorado Avalanche)
- Nhl teams
- St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche, Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers
Lore & Background
Johnson played hockey for the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, Minnesota, where he led all defensemen in scoring as a sophomore. He transferred to the USA Hockey National Team Development Program at age 16, compiling 26 points in 57 games for the under-17 and under-18 squads. In the 2005–06 season, he led the under-18 team with 49 points in 47 games. He became the first American-born defenseman selected first overall without having played Canadian major junior or collegiate hockey, and the first Golden Gopher and Minnesotan taken first overall. After one season at the University of Minnesota, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blues on April 20, 2007.
Johnson's professional career began with the Blues, where he scored his first NHL goal on October 6, 2007, a game-winner against the Los Angeles Kings. He missed the entire 2008–09 season due to a torn ACL and MCL. After being traded to the Colorado Avalanche in February 2011, he played 13 seasons there, leading the team's defensemen in scoring multiple times. He was selected for the NHL All-Star Game in 2014–15 but did not play due to a knee injury. Johnson signed with the Buffalo Sabres for the 2023–2024 season and was traded back to the Colorado Avalanche organization on March 7, 2025.
Reader's Guide
Erik Johnson's career is notable for being the first American-born defenseman selected first overall in the NHL entry draft without having played Canadian major junior or collegiate hockey. He joined a select group of Americans chosen first overall, including Rick DiPietro, Bryan Berard, Mike Modano, and Brian Lawton. His 17-season NHL tenure included a Stanley Cup victory with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. Johnson's playing style was described as a hybrid two-way game with physicality, and he was praised by analyst Ray Ferraro for becoming 'aggressive without being careless.' He served as an assistant captain with the Blues and led the Avalanche defensemen in scoring in multiple seasons. Johnson's return to the Colorado organization in 2025 marked a full-circle moment after 13 seasons with the team. His durability was tested by several major injuries—a torn ACL and MCL, a groin injury, a head injury, and a knee injury—yet he reached the 600-game milestone in 2017. Johnson's legacy includes being a top-three scoring defenseman for the Avalanche for three consecutive seasons and representing the United States internationally.
Did You Know?
- Johnson was nicknamed the 'Condor'.
- Johnson scored his first NHL goal as a game-winner against the Los Angeles Kings on October 6, 2007.
- He was the first Avalanche defenseman selected for the NHL All-Star Game since Rob Blake in 2003–04.
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