Erik Johnson reflects on the path that has led him to his milestone of 1,000 NHL games with gratitude. The Philadelphia Flyers defenseman acknowledges that his journey has been filled with challenges, some of which nearly derailed his career.
“I’ve definitely played long enough to have reached 1,000 games earlier,” Johnson admitted. “But I’ve faced some significant injuries—some that I wasn’t sure I’d recover from—ranging from knee issues to concussions. These setbacks definitely altered my timeline.”
Despite these hurdles, Johnson remained determined. “I’ve just focused on waking up each day and giving my best, whether it’s attacking my rehab, my training, or my on-ice performance. I love showing up to the rink and giving it everything I’ve got,” he said.
Johnson’s resilience, especially after enduring multiple serious injuries, speaks to a mental fortitude that has helped him play for 17 seasons. He will soon become the 403rd player in NHL history to reach 1,000 games when he plays Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres at Wells Fargo Center.
At 36, Johnson has recorded 345 points (94 goals, 251 assists) over 999 regular-season games with the St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche, Buffalo Sabres, and Flyers. He also contributed 13 points (5 goals, 8 assists) in 55 playoff games, including helping the Avalanche win the 2022 Stanley Cup.
Selected first overall by the Blues in the 2006 NHL Draft, Johnson joins a rare group of No. 1 picks who have reached the 1,000-game mark. He is also one of only six defensemen to achieve this feat, alongside notable names like Roman Hamrlik and Rob Ramage.
“I feel incredibly lucky and thankful,” Johnson shared. “I’ve had amazing support from my parents, coaches, teammates, and so many people who have helped me get to this point.”
Looking back, Johnson knows the significance of his achievement. “Reaching this milestone is tough. The average NHL career is about four years, so you need a lot of factors to line up: hard work, talent, injury luck, and a strong support system.”
Injury luck, however, hasn’t always been on Johnson’s side. He recalls missing the entire 2008-09 season after a freak golf injury tore ligaments in his right knee. “It was tough because I had high expectations and then a year-long setback with something I couldn’t control,” Johnson said. “I wasn’t sure how I’d come back from it physically and mentally, but it taught me early how to grind and attack rehab.”
He returned to form with 79 games in 2009-10 and continued his career with the Avalanche after being traded in 2011. His time in Colorado saw him rack up 246 points (68 goals, 178 assists) over 717 games.
But his body took a toll over the years. Johnson missed the final 34 games of the 2014-15 season due to a knee injury and endured further setbacks, including a fractured fibula in 2016-17 and a broken patella in 2017-18.
The injury that nearly ended his career came in 2021, when a concussion ended his season and had him considering retirement. “After the shortened COVID year, I was close to stepping away,” he recalled. “But I had support from teammates like Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog, who encouraged me to give it one more shot.”
That decision paid off, as Johnson played a key role in the Avalanche’s 2022 Cup run. “He was a huge part of our Cup team, both on and off the ice,” MacKinnon said. “We wouldn’t have won without him.”
In the locker room, Johnson’s leadership went beyond his play. “He kept things light, always making everyone laugh,” MacKinnon noted. “He was a great guy to be around.”
Known for his pranks, Johnson often used a fake video trick to mess with teammates, including veterans and rookies alike. “I’d send guys fake texts saying they had a video meeting with the coach at the pool,” Johnson recalled with a laugh. “It was always fun to watch the confusion unfold.”
Now with the Flyers, Johnson continues to keep the mood light and supportive, especially for younger players like Matvei Michkov. “He’s an incredible presence in the locker room,” said Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim. “A guy who brings so much fun and energy to the rink.”
Though Johnson is known for his lightheartedness, he leads by example when it comes to preparation. The knee injury that started his career challenges him to this day, but he has adapted his skating technique over the years to manage the pain.
Flyers general manager Daniel Briere, who played with Johnson in Colorado, has seen firsthand the kind of player and person Johnson is. When the chance arose to bring Johnson back to Philadelphia last season, Briere knew exactly what the team was getting.
“Erik was always the life of the room,” Briere said. “He’s a guy who never takes himself too seriously and is a great leader. When we needed someone to help our young players, Erik was the obvious choice.”
Though Johnson came to the Flyers with the expectation of a reduced role, he has played in 12 of the team’s 14 games this season. “I don’t care what my role is,” he said. “I’m just here to help the team in any way I can, and I’ll play as long as my body allows me.”
“I love the game, and I love being at the rink,” Johnson continued. “Every day, I just focus on what I can control: my attitude and my effort.”
