Ching Johnson
Hard-hitting defenceman, original Ranger, two-time Stanley Cup champion.
Ivan Wilfred "Ching" Johnson was a Canadian defenceman who played in the NHL from 1926 to 1938, suiting up for the New York Rangers and the New York Americans. He joined the Rangers as an original member and helped them win two Stanley Cups. Over his career, he earned four selections to the league’s post-season all-star teams and took part in the Ace Bailey Benefit Game, which was the NHL’s first all-star contest. Johnson entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on December 7, 1898, Johnson excelled in football and lacrosse as a young man. He enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in January 1916, serving with the Third Division Ammunition Column. After arriving in England in March 1916, he was sent to France by mid-July, reassigned to the Fourth Division to deliver ammunition to the front. In November 1917, he spent 84 days in hospital for venereal disease, and in June 1918 he received the Good Conduct Badge. He returned to Canada in May 1919 and was discharged that same month.
Back in Winnipeg, Johnson worked for an electric light company. He began playing competitive hockey in 1919 with the Winnipeg Monarchs of the Winnipeg Senior Hockey League, staying for two seasons before moving to Eveleth, Minnesota. There he played three seasons in the United States Amateur Hockey Association (USAHA) alongside his younger brother, left winger Adrian "Ade" Johnson. He then spent three seasons in Minneapolis, finishing with the Minneapolis Millers in 1925–26. He was named a league all-star on defence in 1924 and 1926, and during the 1924–25 season he also served as head coach for Macalester College in Saint Paul.
Johnson was first nicknamed "Ivan the Terrible," but fans later called him "Ching" after shouting "Ching, Ching Chinaman" in support. Despite being of Irish descent, he was called "Chinaman," then "Chink," and finally "Ching" because people thought his face looked Asian. His physical, hard-hitting style made him a fan favourite, and he often wore a wide grin whether he delivered or received a hit.
Johnson was recruited from Minneapolis, along with defensive partner Taffy Abel, to join the newly formed New York Rangers. He was 28 years old and insisted on a three-year contract, figuring it would be his only one. He made his NHL debut in the Rangers’ first game on November 16, 1926, a 1–0 win over the Montreal Maroons.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Defence
- Shoots
- Left
- Height Ft
- 5
- Height In
- 11
- Weight Lb
- 210
- Played For
- New York Rangers / New York Americans
- Birth Date
- 1897-12-07
- Birth Place
- Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Death Date
- 1979-06-17
- Death Place
- Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.
- Career Start
- 1925
- Career End
- 1944
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Johnson did not begin playing competitive hockey until he was in his 20s and was nearly 30 when he first broke into the NHL. He was a veteran of the First World War, having enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in January 1916 and served in France delivering ammunition. After the war, he worked for an electric light company in Winnipeg and first played competitive hockey in 1919 with the Winnipeg Monarchs. He later played in the United States Amateur Hockey Association and with the Minneapolis Millers before being recruited by the New York Rangers in 1926.
Nicknamed 'Ivan the Terrible' and later 'Ching'—a reference to fans shouting 'Ching, Ching Chinaman' due to his Asian-looking face, though he was of Irish descent—Johnson was regarded as one of the hardest bodycheckers to ever play the game. His physical style made him a fan favourite, and he was often seen grinning when making or receiving contact. He insisted on a three-year contract with the Rangers, believing it would be his only one. Injuries plagued his career: a broken collarbone, broken ankle, broken jaw, and other ailments cost him significant playing time, but he often returned for the playoffs.
Johnson played 436 NHL games with the Rangers and Americans. After his NHL career, he returned to the Minneapolis Millers as a player-coach, became the American Hockey Association's most popular star, and later coached in California and for the Washington Lions. He also worked as an official in the Eastern Hockey League, once throwing a bodycheck during a game he was officiating, explaining it was 'instinct.'
Reader's Guide
Ching Johnson's significance lies in his role as a foundational defenceman for the New York Rangers, joining the team as an original member in 1926 and helping them win two Stanley Cups (1928 and 1933). Despite starting his NHL career late—at nearly age 30—and suffering multiple major injuries (broken collarbone, broken ankle, broken jaw), he consistently returned for playoff runs and was credited with improving the Rangers' play. His defensive play was key to the 1933 Cup victory. Johnson earned four consecutive post-season all-star selections (1931–1934) and finished one vote behind Howie Morenz for the Hart Trophy in 1932. He participated in the NHL's first all-star game, the Ace Bailey Benefit Game. After his NHL career, he remained in hockey as a player-coach, coach, and official, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958. He is also a member of the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum and the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, which named him to its all-century second all-star team.
Did You Know?
- Johnson was a veteran of the First World War, serving in the Canadian Expeditionary Force and delivering ammunition to the front in France.
- He did not play competitive hockey until age 22 and was nearly 30 when he made his NHL debut.
- His nickname 'Ching' came from fans shouting 'Ching, Ching Chinaman' because they thought he had an Asian-looking face, though he was of Irish descent.
- While working as a linesman in 1944, Johnson forgot he was no longer a player and threw a bodycheck on a player, later saying it was 'instinct.'
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