Jack Johnson has found his next chapter in hockey, and it takes him back to his home state.
The former Colorado Avalanche defenseman and Stanley Cup champion is joining Ohio State University’s women’s hockey program as an associate coach, marking the first coaching position of his post-playing career after a brief stint in NHL scouting.
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Johnson, who helped the Avalanche capture the Stanley Cup in 2022, spent three seasons in Colorado across two separate stints. While he wasn’t the flashiest player on a roster loaded with stars, he became a trusted veteran presence in the locker room and a dependable depth defenseman during one of the most successful stretches in franchise history.
After retiring following the 2024-25 season, Johnson initially stayed in the NHL by accepting a pro scouting role with the Vancouver Canucks in January. That opportunity proved to be short-lived, as he has now departed the organization less than a year later to move behind the bench.
The coaching opportunity also brings Johnson back to Ohio, where he grew up before becoming one of the country’s most highly touted hockey prospects. The former No. 3 overall pick in the 2005 NHL Draft played 19 seasons in the NHL, appearing in 1,228 regular-season games with the Los Angeles Kings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Avalanche.
Johnson finished his NHL career with 77 goals and 265 assists, but his greatest accomplishment came in Colorado, where he lifted the Stanley Cup during the Avalanche’s 2021-22 championship run.
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Now, he’ll look to help build another winner.
Johnson joins an Ohio State women’s program that has emerged as one of college hockey’s premier powers, winning NCAA national championships in both 2022 and 2024. Instead of mentoring NHL veterans, he’ll now help develop the next generation of elite players as he begins what could be a long coaching career.
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