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Former Detroit Red Wings forward Greg Johnson died Monday at his home on the Detroit subway. He was 48 years old.

The Chronicle Journal in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Johnson's hometown, was the first to announce the news. No cause of death has been provided.

Johnson was selected in the second round, 33rd overall, by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1989, but he made his NHL debut with the Wings in 1993. During a telephone conversation with the owner of the NHL, he lost his place in the NHL. team, Mike Ilitch at the 1993 training camp, Bryan Murray, then general manager gave his boss an update on the young players of the team.

"Greg Johnson," said Murray, "is just a little better than Steve Yzerman."

Murray had fun with Ilitch, but Johnson came to the Wings after playing at the University of North Dakota, where the 5-foot-11, 200-pound center was the all-time leading scorer with 272 points in four years. He was the sole finalist of the Hobey Baker Trophy three times in the history of the school. He was inducted into the UND Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.

Johnson played 177 games with the Wings, with 33 goals and 48 assists.

On January 27, 1997, the Wings sent Johnson to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Tomas Sandstrom. Johnson spent three seasons with the Penguins before finishing his career with the Nashville Predators, where he was captain from 2002 to 2006.

Johnson attempted a second stint with the Wings in 2006, but his attempts ended before the start of the training camp when a physical incident revealed a heart problem. Johnson was forced to retire. His brother, Ryan, was invited to try for the Wings in 2011.

He finished with 145 goals and 369 points in 785 games.

Johnson is survived by a wife and two children.

Contact Helene St. James at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Learn more about the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.