NHLers mourn loss of USA Hockey’s Jim Johannson

Jim Johannson. (Paul Sancya/AP)

Emily Sadler January 22, 2018, 1:40 PM

The hockey world is mourning the loss of longtime USA Hockey executive Jim Johannson, who died unexpectedly on Sunday at age 53.

Johannson, who was serving as general manager of Team USA’s Olympic men’s hockey team, influenced the careers of so many of today’s players. Many NHLers who rose through USA Hockey’s ranks under Johannson’s guidance took to Twitter to express their condolences and pay tribute to the longtime hockey executive.

Commissioner Bettman statement on the passing of USA Hockey’s Jim Johannson. https://t.co/6KvQSIAuZy pic.twitter.com/Opreb92sMu

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) January 21, 2018

Here’s a selection of how players, coaches and members of the hockey community are remembering Johannson:

Deeply saddened to hear this news. Thoughts and prayers with the Johannson family. Grateful for the opportunity JJ gave me to play for USA hockey. A great man, who will always be remembered.

— Auston Matthews (@AM34) January 21, 2018

https://twitter.com/Jackeichel15/status/955213756484804608

Shocked and Deeply saddened by this news. JJ gave me the opportunity to represent USA and I’ll always be thankful to him for that. His fun loving personality was infectious. He went above and beyond to make the USA hockey experience so unforgettable. He will be missed by so many! https://t.co/bQrbSGxNgx

— Charlie McAvoy (@CMcAvoy44) January 21, 2018

JJ helped provide a lot of my fondest memories in this game. USA hockey is always a privilege to be a part of and that began with the tone set by people at the top. I wish Jim Johannson’s family peace in coping with their loss of a loved one. Tim Taylor also comes to mind now.

— Connor Carrick (@connorcarrick) January 21, 2018

https://twitter.com/BiggieFunke/status/955148744403636231

"He represented @USAHockey so well…He was just a workhorse and loved what he did." — Ryan Suter on Jim Johannson.

More from Zach Parise, Jason Zucker and Suter. https://t.co/LHxxockfOM

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) January 21, 2018

Jim Johannson was an amazing person. JJ was synonymous with USA Hockey and its leadership. My condolences to his family. You will be missed but not forgotten. Rest In Peace

— Kyle Okposo (@bookerT2116) January 21, 2018

Really tough to hear the sad news about Jim Johannson passing today. He was a great man and will be missed. #badgers

— Jake Gardiner (@Jgardiner272) January 22, 2018

Thanks for your friendship and leadership as you always lead @usahockey with your heart and soul! You will truly be missed Jim Johannson

— Justin Abdelkader (@justinabss) January 21, 2018

My heart is broken to hear the news about Jim Johannson. You were a great man that gave me the opportunity to play for my country. You will be deeply missed by not only @usahockey but the many others lives you impacted.

— Pat Maroon (@patmaroon) January 22, 2018

Jim Johannson did it all for USA Hockey

January 22 2018

Shocked and saddened this morning hearing of the passing of Jim Johannson. You will truly be missed at USA Hockey and throughout the hockey world. Thank you JJ for giving me the opportunity to live out a dream of mine. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

— Brady Skjei (@BradySkjei) January 21, 2018

It was an absolute pleasure to work with JJ. Truly one of the best in the business. Thoughts and prays to his fam. https://t.co/C6dj33hdLL

— Ryan Callahan (@TheRealCally24) January 21, 2018

Heartbreaking news. JJ was all class. Thoughts and prayers to his family. https://t.co/EFsuLjY0TX

— Erik Johnson (@6ErikJohnson) January 21, 2018

Absolutely shocked to hear about the passing of Jim Johannson. He was a part of every US Team I ever played on. A first class person in every way. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. RIP

— John-Michael Liles (@hoosierjm26) January 21, 2018

It comes with a heavy heart hearing about the passing of my close friend JJ. One of the best leaders of @usahockey who grew our game to new heights! My thoughts and prayers are with his family and he will truly be missed, but his legacy will carry on. It’s a sad day for hockey!

— Phil Housley (@philhousley6) January 21, 2018

Very saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Jim Johannson @usahockey. Condolences to his family in this difficult time.

— Sean Burke (@SBurkie1) January 21, 2018

Lou Lamoriello on Jim Johannson: "Some of us weren’t easy to deal with… You always wanted something more or better, whether it be travel arrangements, whether it be icetime or all those things. He accommodated everything. And with a smile, never getting upset."

— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) January 21, 2018

"A tremendous loss to both USA Hockey & the hockey family in general. Jim had an incredible devotion to the cause & will be deeply missed by us all. On behalf of myself and the Flames, we send our condolences to the Johannson family." – Brian Burke on the passing of Jim Johannson pic.twitter.com/fkYYT5M95p

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) January 21, 2018

Deeply saddened to hear my long time friend Jim Johannson has passed away. I’ve been friends with him since I was 14 years old. He was such a great man that had a huge impact on USA Hockey. Such a sad day… JJ, you’ll always be remembered. RIP my friend.

— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) January 22, 2018

Peter Laviolette on Johannson: “Today I lost a roommate, a teammate, a colleague and a great friend. [This is] one of my saddest days in a very long time as tears just keep rolling down my face.”

— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) January 21, 2018

We lost a true friend in Jim Johannson today.

He was so compassionate and as loyal a friend as you could have. He was the ultimate teammate.

I am deeply saddened and shocked and sorry that he is no longer with us.

He was a special human being. pic.twitter.com/vGAR4ZTFu2

— Tony Granato (@TonyGranato) January 21, 2018

Just devastated to hear the news about Jim Johannson. JJ was a leader in every sense and a huge part of @usahockey since joining in Sept 2000. He always offered his time & spoke passionately about the game and plyrs/coaches who made it possible. A truly great man.

— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) January 21, 2018

Spoke to Jim Johannson recently about putting together this year's Olympic team. It was a process he loved. Best part was being able to tell these guys their Olympic dream was coming true: "I had two of the most fun days I've ever had at USA Hockey."

— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) January 21, 2018

This from Dean Lombardi, who worked closely w/Jim Johannson to build Team USA rosters, captures Johannson's personality well: "What really stands at the forefront is that he possessed the most unique of all human qualities in that he was not happy unless everyone else was happy."

— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) January 21, 2018

https://twitter.com/alex_prewitt/status/955120648656965633

“He was synonymous for me and USA Hockey, what it was all about… I can’t express how sad it is.” —James van Riemsdyk on the death of Jim Johansson, godfather of one of his close friends

— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) January 22, 2018

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