Penguins sign defender Jack Johnson on a five-year contract



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The Pittsburgh Penguins signed a five-year contract with defenseman Jack Johnson, announced today Executive Vice President and General Manager Jim Rutherford.

The operation takes place in the countryside 2022-23.

Johnson's signature gives the Penguins five blueliners signed at least the 2019-2020 campaign, including Brian Dumoulin (2022-223), Kris Letang (2021-22), Olli Maatta (2021-22) and Justin Schultz (2019-2020).

Johnson, 31, has just finished his 12th season at the NHL, including the last six years with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Throughout his tenure with the Jackets, Johnson served as alternate captain, including last year, when he played in 77 games, recording 101 hits and 135 strokes blocked. His 135 strikes have been his best since his 2007-08 season with the Los Angeles Kings. Johnson scored 2:06 minutes per game while the Jackets were outnumbered.

The 6-foot-1, 227-pound defenseman played a key role in the emergence of Columbus as a perennial playoff contender. Johnson was particularly good in the Blue Jackets' first round 2014 series against the Penguins, when he led his team with seven points (3G-4A) in the six-game series. In 23 career playoff games with the Blue Jackets and Kings, Johnson has 21 points (5G-16A).

Johnson, originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, was originally drafted by Jim Rutherford and the Carolina Hurricanes with the third selection In the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, two choices after the Penguins opted Sidney Crosby with the best choice. Before Johnson reached the NHL, the Hurricanes traded it to the Kings in a four-player deal. Since his debut with the Kings at the end of the 2007 season, Johnson has played 788 games, recording 278 points (66G-212A). His games overall rank eighth among the five rookies. He played 74 times or more eight times in 10 full seasons.

Johnson, whom Columbus acquired from the Kings in February 2012 with a first-round pick in exchange for Jeff Carter, has extensive international experience competing for Team USA, including winning an Olympic silver medal at the Games. 2010 Olympic Games.

In addition, Johnson played for the Americans at five World Championships and the 2016 World Hockey Cup. He was the United States captain at the 2010 World Championships and 12. Johnson's five goals at the 2009 World Championship led all tournament defensemen

. Johnson's long list of accomplishments on the international scene began with a silver medal at the 2004 World Junior Under-18 Championship and a gold medal the following year. He played for the US team on the 2006 and 2007 World Junior Teams, winning a bronze medal in 2007, when he was also named one of the "Top Three Players" American

. He skated for two seasons at the University of Michigan, where he was first American in 2007, and two seasons with the US National Team Development Program. In 2002-03, Johnson was teaming with Crosby in Shattuck-St. Mary's, boarding school and hockey center in Faribault, Minnesota. They led the team to win the United States Midget AAA U18 Midget Championship of 2003.

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