University of Minnesota Athletics
Johnson Reps 'U' in Stanley Cup Finals
6/15/2022 1:30:00 PM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS - With the first game of the National Hockey League's 2022 Stanley Cup Finals set for Wednesday night, former Minnesota men's hockey defenseman Erik Johnson is looking to join elite company and raise the 37-pound Cup as a member of the Colorado Avalanche.
Nine former Golden Gophers have hoisted the trophy as players and had their names engraved on hockey's ultimate prize, while two have done so as coaches. The most recent player to win was Phil Kessel in back-to-back seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
Johnson, a native of Bloomington, Minn., is in his 14th season in the NHL and has played 857 regular season games. He is making his first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals after seeing the ice in 42 career playoff games and currently ranks fourth for the Avalanche at plus-11 in the 2022 postseason.
The first overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Johnson spent one season wearing the Maroon & Gold skating in 41 contests and earned WCHA All-Rookie Team honors. He scored four goals and added 20 assists totaling 24 points, which led all rookie defenseman in the league.
Golden Gophers on the Stanley Cup
Year Player Team
1977 Mike Polich Montreal
1991 Frank Pietrangelo Pittsburgh
1991 Bob Johnson (Coach) Pittsburgh
1992 Bob Johnson (Coach) Pittsburgh
1995 Tom Chorske New Jersey
1995 Neal Broten New Jersey
1995 Chris McAlpine New Jersey
2004 Ben Clymer Tampa Bay
2009 Alex Goligoski Pittsburgh
2013 Nick Leddy Chicago
2016 Phil Kessel Pittsburgh
2017 Phil Kessel Pittsburgh
2020 Todd Richards (Coach) Tampa Bay
Nine former Golden Gophers have hoisted the trophy as players and had their names engraved on hockey's ultimate prize, while two have done so as coaches. The most recent player to win was Phil Kessel in back-to-back seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
Johnson, a native of Bloomington, Minn., is in his 14th season in the NHL and has played 857 regular season games. He is making his first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals after seeing the ice in 42 career playoff games and currently ranks fourth for the Avalanche at plus-11 in the 2022 postseason.
The first overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Johnson spent one season wearing the Maroon & Gold skating in 41 contests and earned WCHA All-Rookie Team honors. He scored four goals and added 20 assists totaling 24 points, which led all rookie defenseman in the league.
Golden Gophers on the Stanley Cup
Year Player Team
1977 Mike Polich Montreal
1991 Frank Pietrangelo Pittsburgh
1991 Bob Johnson (Coach) Pittsburgh
1992 Bob Johnson (Coach) Pittsburgh
1995 Tom Chorske New Jersey
1995 Neal Broten New Jersey
1995 Chris McAlpine New Jersey
2004 Ben Clymer Tampa Bay
2009 Alex Goligoski Pittsburgh
2013 Nick Leddy Chicago
2016 Phil Kessel Pittsburgh
2017 Phil Kessel Pittsburgh
2020 Todd Richards (Coach) Tampa Bay
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