Ryan Johansen

Lore & Background

Johansen played minor hockey in the Greater Vancouver area before joining the Penticton Vees of the BCHL for one season. He moved to the WHL's Portland Winterhawks in 2009–10, where he finished second among league rookies in scoring with 69 points. After being drafted fourth overall by Columbus in 2010, he signed a three-year entry-level contract and made his NHL debut on October 7, 2011. He scored his first NHL goal on October 25, 2011, against the Detroit Red Wings, becoming the third player in NHL history to tally two game-winning goals as his first in the league.

Johansen was traded to the Nashville Predators in January 2016 in exchange for Seth Jones. He played parts of eight seasons with Nashville, contributing to seven consecutive playoff appearances and a run to the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals. As his contract neared its end and the Predators declined, he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in the 2023 off-season. Internationally, he earned a silver medal at the 2011 World Junior Championships and was named to the Tournament All-Star Team.

Reader's Guide

Ryan Johansen's career is notable for his rapid rise from a potential second-round draft pick to a fourth overall selection in the 2010 NHL entry draft. His development in the WHL with Portland, where he improved from 69 points in his rookie season to 92 points the following year, demonstrated his offensive growth. Johansen's NHL career began with the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he scored his first goal in a historic game—the first time two Blue Jackets players scored their first NHL goals in the same contest. He later became a key figure for the Nashville Predators, helping the team reach the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals and securing seven straight postseason appearances. His international play includes a silver medal at the 2011 World Junior Championships and being named to the Tournament All-Star Team. Johansen also won the MVP award at the 2015 NHL All-Star Game. His trade to the Colorado Avalanche in 2023 marked a new chapter late in his career.

Did You Know?

• He was named MVP of the 2015 NHL All-Star Game.
• Johansen was traded to the Nashville Predators for Seth Jones in January 2016.