Ryan Johansen
Former Blue Jackets center, fourth overall pick in 2010, played five seasons in Columbus before trade to Nashville.
Ryan Johansen (born July 31, 1992) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. A centre, he played minor hockey in the Greater Vancouver area until joining the junior ranks with the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) for one season. In 2009–10, he moved to the major junior level with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL). After his first WHL season, he was selected fourth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2010 NHL entry draft. He would play five seasons with them before being traded to the Nashville Predators for Seth Jones in January 2016. Playing parts of eight seasons with Nashville, he was a key part of seven straight postseason berths for the Predators, including a trip to the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals. Nearing the end of his contract as the Predators declined, he was traded to the Avalanche in the 2023 off-season.
- Draft Year
- 2010
- Pick Number
- 4th Overall
- Position
- Center
- All-Rookie Team
- Not mentioned in source
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Johansen signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Columbus on September 9, 2010. He made his NHL debut on October 7, 2011. In the 2013–14 season, he finished the regular season playing in all 82 games and leading the Blue Jackets with 33 goals and 63 points.
In Their Own Story
The 2012–13 season tested Johansen's resilience when an NHL lockout forced his reassignment to the Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons. He made an immediate impact on their top line, tallying six points in seven games and leading the team to a 5–1–1 record for the first time in franchise history. After being recalled on February 24, 2013, he centered a line with Matt Calvert and Nick Foligno. However, the following off-season brought his lowest point; benched by the Falcons coaching staff during the 2012 Calder Cup Championships, Johansen described hitting "rock bottom." He returned to training camp weighing 222 pounds after spending the summer gaining muscle. That physical transformation fueled a breakout 2013–14 campaign. Alongside linemates Brandon Dubinsky and Cam Atkinson, he led the team with 10 goals by November and maintained a nine-game point streak in December. By early February, he led the Blue Jackets in goals while tied for 14th in the NHL with 23. On April 8, Johansen scored an overtime game-winning goal to secure the franchise's 41st win, tying a record that helped them clinch their first wild-card spot and face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the playoffs.
Reader's Guide
Johansen was drafted 150th overall by the Portland Winterhawks in the 2007 WHL bantam draft. He played for the Penticton Vees in 2008–09, then joined the Winterhawks for 2009–10. He was selected fourth overall by Columbus in the 2010 NHL entry draft. He played five seasons with Columbus before being traded to Nashville in January 2016. He was traded to the Avalanche in the 2023 off-season.
Did You Know?
- Johansen earned a silver medal at the 2011 World Junior Championships and was named to the Tournament All-Star Team.
- He was named the 2015 NHL All-Star Game MVP.
- He scored his first NHL goal on October 25, 2011, against the Detroit Red Wings.
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