Jim Johannson | U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2022

Jim Johannson was the driving force behind USA Hockey’s competitiveness at every level of competition.

For nearly two decades, Johannson was an executive with USA Hockey, rising through the ranks through his diligent work on the international stage. Johannson will joined Steve Cash, Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson, Monique Lamoureux-Morando and Ryan Miller as the 50th class inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame on Wednesday, Nov. 30 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Johannson’s enshrinement comes posthumously, after he passed away at age 53, just three weeks before the team he assembled took the ice in the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.

As much as his work to build USA Hockey’s credentials on the ice are why Johannson is part of this class, it is the personal side of the Rochester, Minnesota, native off the ice that is pointed out by those who knew him well.

USA Hockey captured 34 gold medals among the total 64 medals won during Johannson’s time as an executive. Even now, nearly five years after his death, his impact is still remembered as members of the international hockey community often fondly recall stories about Johannson.

It was Johannson’s ability to connect with the players and get them to buy into their roles. On teams of all-stars, regardless of gender or age level, you have players who are the go-to scorers on their team that might end up on the checking line for an international tournament. Tony Granato said Johannson was a terrific communicator and made sure the players knew their spot on the team before coming to camp.

When it comes to USA Hockey history, the underdog story of the “Miracle on Ice” team is the one that sticks out the most. But in recent years, a podium finish at any level for USA Hockey is no longer unexpected thanks in part to what Johannson did behind the scenes.

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