Brent Johnson, an American goaltender, played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for several teams during his career. Born on March 12, 1977, in Farmington, Michigan, Johnson grew up in a hockey family, with his grandfather, Sid Abel, being a Hall of Fame player and coach. This familial connection to the sport undoubtedly influenced his path toward professional hockey.
Johnson's journey to the NHL began in the junior leagues, where he honed his skills and developed into a promising goaltender. He was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the fifth round of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. However, he never played for the Avalanche, as his rights were traded to the St. Louis Blues in 1997. It was with the Blues that Johnson made his NHL debut during the 1998-1999 season.
During his time with the St. Louis Blues, Johnson shared goaltending duties with Roman Turek and later with Fred Brathwaite. He gained attention during the 2001-2002 playoffs when he led the Blues to the Western Conference Finals. Johnson's performance included three consecutive shutouts against the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
After his stint with the Blues, Johnson was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in 2004. However, his time with the Coyotes was short-lived, as he was claimed off waivers by the Vancouver Canucks later that year. The 2004-2005 NHL season was canceled due to a lockout, which led Johnson to play overseas in Europe for a brief period.
Upon returning to the NHL, Johnson signed with the Washington Capitals in 2005. He served primarily as a backup goaltender during his tenure with the Capitals, providing support to the team's starting goalies. Johnson's steady presence in the net helped the Capitals during several playoff runs, although they did not achieve significant postseason success during his time there.
In 2009, Johnson joined the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he continued to serve as a reliable backup goaltender. His role with the Penguins included stepping in during crucial moments when the starting goaltender was unavailable. Johnson's time with the Penguins was marked by a memorable on-ice fight with New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro in 2011, which resulted in a knockout punch that became a highlight of his career.
Throughout his NHL career, Johnson was known for his calm demeanor and technical proficiency in goal. He played a total of 309 regular-season games, recording 139 wins, 112 losses, and 15 shutouts. His career save percentage stood at .902, with a goals-against average of 2.63.
Brent Johnson retired from professional hockey after the 2011-2012 season. Following his retirement, he transitioned into a broadcasting role, providing analysis and commentary for hockey games. His insights and experience as a former NHL goaltender offered valuable perspectives to audiences.
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