USA Hockey Foundation

The assistant executive director of USA Hockey and the general manager of the 2018 U.S. Olympic men’s ice hockey team, passed away in his sleep early Sunday (Jan. 21) morning at his home in Colorado Springs.

Johannson joined the USA Hockey staff on Sept. 1, 2000, as manager of international activities and U.S. Olympic Committee relations. He was promoted to senior director of hockey operations, a newly created position, on Aug. 5, 2003. On June 25, 2007, Johannson was elevated to assistant executive director of hockey operations and is responsible for the day-to-day management and integration of all in-sport related initiatives. He handles USA Hockey representation in obtaining players and coaches for national teams in international competition. In addition, Johannson interfaces with the USOC on matters of mutual interest.

He worked with 10 U.S. National Junior Teams, including the gold-medal-winning 2010 U.S. National Junior Team. He was also the lead administrator in hosting the 2005 IIHF World Junior Championship in Grand Folks, N.D., and Thief River Falls, Minn., and served as team leader for the gold medal-winning 2004 U.S. National Junior Team.

A two-time U.S. Olympian (1988, 1992), Johannson served as team leader for the silver medal-winning U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was the senior director of hockey operations for Team USA at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. Johannson was also a part of the leadership group in charge of selecting the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team that earned the silver medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C.

A former U.S. National Team member, Johannson spent five years as the general manager of the Twin Cities Vulcans, a Junior A team in the United States Hockey League. Under his guidance, the Vulcans captured the 2000 USA Hockey Junior A National Championship in Green Bay, Wis. Johannson played nine seasons in the International Hockey League, splitting time among three teams. His most productive campaign came in 1988-89, when he tallied 75 points (35-40) in 82 games with the Salt Lake City Golden Eagles.

Prior to embarking on his professional career, Johannson played at the University of Wisconsin, where he helped the Badgers capture the 1983 NCAA Division I National Championship. Johannson, who resides in Colorado Springs, Colo., is ranked among the top 50 people of power and influence in hockey by The Hockey News.