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Detroit Red Wings: Remembering the late Greg Johnson

By Bob Heyrman

18 Nov 1996: Center Greg Johnson of the Detroit Red Wings moves the puck during a game against the Phoenix Coyotes at the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The game was a tie, 2-2. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Cratty /Allsport
18 Nov 1996: Center Greg Johnson of the Detroit Red Wings moves the puck during a game against the Phoenix Coyotes at the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The game was a tie, 2-2. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Cratty /Allsport /
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Former Detroit Red Wings forward Greg Johnson passed away this past Monday at his house in the Metro Detroit area, he was 48 years old.  Greg is survived by his wife and two children.

Greg Johnson was a member of the Detroit Red Wings from 1993-1997 as a member of the Wings Johnson registered 33 goals, 48 assists totaling 81 points over the course of the three and a half seasons dawning the winged wheel.

Johnson was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  The Philadelphia Flyers initially drafted him in the second round, 33rd overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Level Draft.  He didn’t appear in an NHL game until he joined the Detroit Red Wings in 1993.

The Wings obtained Johnson from the Flyers in exchange for Jim Cummings and a fourth-round pick.  Cummings, a tough guy who played in 511 career NHL games notching 24 total goals, and accumulating 60 points.  Cummings was able to log 1538 penalty minutes throughout his twelve-year, nine different team NHL career.

In 1997 the Detroit Red Wings sent Greg Johnson to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for veteran forward Tomas Sandstrom.  The Wings would go on to win their first Stanley Cup after a league-leading (at the time) 42-year drought.

The cause of death has yet to be announced, in an article published in the Hockey News former teammate Tom Fitzgerald remembers Greg Johnson;

"“He was such a quality, quality person,” Fitzgerald said. “Comes from a great family. He was just a very soft-spoken, quiet leader. Not a rah-rah guy. Probably an underrated 200-foot player. He came here in an offensive role, but was also relied on to play against the rest of the league’s top players. Hockey sense off the charts. Even though people didn’t see it at the NHL level, he had a skill level and hockey sense that were amazing.”"

Fitzgerald was teammates with Johnson while the pair played with the Nashville Predators.  Tom Fitzgerald was the first captain in Predators history.  Greg Johnson was the second captain in franchise history following in his friends’ footsteps.

Next. Patiently Trusting and Sticking to the Yzer-plan. dark

Johnson ended his career having played 785 games over the course of twelve seasons.  He tallied 145 career goals, 224 assists notching 369 points.  Johnson was forced to retire in 2006 because of a heart issue.  At the time he was 35-years old attempting a try-out with the Detroit Red Wings where he wanted to conclude his career where it all began.

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