Friday, May 11, 2012

Jim Johnson

Sent: 3/21/12
Received: 5/10/12
Time: 50 Days
Address: c/o Washington Capitals
Item Sent: 1991-92 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Topps
Item Received: 1991-92 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Topps.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
New Hope, Minnesota native Jim Johnson came home to the North Stars (along with fellow Minnesota-born blueliner Chris Dahlquist) in a trade with Pittsburgh during the 1990-91 season.  Of course those two teams would meet in the Stanley Cup Finals that year.  Johnson picked up 10 points in 44 games during the regular season for the North Stars, then played in 14 Stanley Cup Playoff games during the Stars' Cinderalla run to the Finals.  He remained with the Stars through the move to Dallas.  Since retiring, he has made the rounds as an NHL assistant coach.  This year he was added to the Capitals staff during their mid-season coaching shakeup.  He helped reinvent the Caps from the high scoring juggernaut they had been in previous years into a more defensive, well-rounded team.  Interim head coach Dale Hunter decided not to stick around after this year's playoffs, leaving that status of the rest of the staff in limbo, but I feel like Johnson had a positive enough impact in D.C. to be retained for next year.

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