Tyler Johnson was born on July 29, 1990, in Spokane, Washington. Playing in the NHPL during the 2006-07 season, Johnson totaled 127 points in 50 games with two teams, the Coeur D’Alene Colts and the Coeur D’Alene Lakers. Johnson led the league in goals, assists, and points. In 2005, the winger was drafted in the 11th round, 201st overall, by the Spokane Chiefs, and joined the Chiefs for the 2007-08 season. The center tallied 13 goals and 22 assists in 69 regular season games and was named WHL Playoffs MVP with five goals and three assists as the Chiefs won the Memorial Cup.
The next season, Johnson registered 26 goals and 35 assists in 62 games and scored one goal with the Team USA U-20 club at the World Junior Championships. Johnson won the Gold Medal with the US team in 2010, notching three goals and two assists at the World Juniors, and was a top player in the WHL with 71 points in 64 games. As an assistant captain during the 2010-11 season, Johnson totaled 53 goals and 62 assists in 71 regular season games and 14 points in the postseason, earning him first-team all-star honors. Johnson was also awarded the Brad Hornung Trophy for the most sportsmanlike player.
Undrafted, Johnson signed with the Norfolk Admirals and finished his first pro year with some impressive numbers. In 75 American Hockey League games, he scored 31 goals and 37 assists, while going a +17 plus/minus for the Calder Cup Championship.
Tyler Johnson’s NHL Debut to Today
On March 14, 2013, Tyler Johnson made his NHL debut with the Tampa Bay Lightning and went pointless in 11:39 of ice time, playing 16 shifts. Two nights later, Johnson would score his first NHL goal against the Carolina Hurricanes in a 4-1 win. The 5-foot-8, 185-pound forward finished that season with three goals and three assists in 14 games. During the 2013-14 season, Johnson would make the All-Rookie Team with 50 points. The Next season, Johnson led the NHL playoffs with 13 goals and 23 points as the Lightning won the Stanley Cup, the first of two for Johnson.
On July 27, 2021, Johnson was traded with a 2nd round pick in 2023 to the Chicago Blackhawks for Brent Seabrook. In three seasons with Chicago, Johnson totaled 32 goals and 38 assists in 149 games. Johnson is trying to make the Boston Bruins 2024-25 opening night roster and has signed a Professional Tryout Contract with the club.
