Former Avs player Jack Johnson returns to his hometown team, the Blue Jackets, to assist with their rebuilding process.

As a seasoned player with over 1,200 games under his belt in the NHL, Jack Johnson has pretty much seen it all. However, there's one unique scenario that he will face on Saturday night that most players in the league will never experience. For the second time in three years, Johnson will be playing against his former team, the Avalanche, in their home opener at the Ball Arena.

"It's always a bit strange," Johnson shared in an interview from the Columbus Blue Jackets' locker room. "When you line up on the ice, you usually want to have a bit of animosity towards the guys on the other team. But this one's different for me. Luckily, I've been through it before. It's not my first time facing my former teammates in a home opener."

Johnson joined the Colorado Avalanche before the 2021-22 season and was a key contributor in their journey to winning the Stanley Cup. However, he signed with the Chicago Blackhawks during the offseason, and it just so happened that they were the opponent when the Avalanche raised their championship banner at the Ball Arena the following year. Johnson then returned to the Avalanche in 2023 before signing for one more year in the last season. Throughout his 19-year NHL career, Johnson has been a controversial player, especially among the analytics community. But in Colorado, he found his niche and proved to be a valuable asset for both himself and the team.

"He was exceptional for us and played a significant role in our Stanley Cup win," said Avalanche coach Jared Bednar. "We had enough faith in him to bring him back. He's not just a great teammate, but also a great person."

When Johnson joined the Avalanche, the team was in the midst of a rebuild, and establishing a strong team culture was a top priority for the coaches. Johnson's leadership skills and positive attitude were a perfect fit for the team, with Bednar stating that he played a crucial role in shaping the team's culture. Though he was primarily a third-pairing defenseman, Johnson was also a vital part of the penalty kill and a respected voice in the locker room. Like former teammate Andrew Cogliano, Johnson may not have been the most skilled player on the ice, but his teammates looked up to him, and he was never afraid to speak his mind.

"I got to know Jack last year, and we went out to dinner a lot," said second-year Avalanche forward Ross Colton. "We formed a great friendship, so it's definitely different seeing him on the other side. He's a fantastic teammate and a fierce competitor. He's a champion for a reason. I'm sure we'll share some laughs and maybe even give him a friendly bump on the shin pad. But who knows, I might even try to lay a hit on him early on."

During the offseason, the Avalanche revamped their defense corps, and Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He had previously spent seven seasons with the team and has now returned to his family, who have settled in Columbus. His children are now old enough to attend his games, and instead of traveling by plane, Johnson can now commute to work in his car.

"That's been a special experience for my family," Johnson shared. "Being able to go home, pick up my kids from school, and spend more time with them as they grow older. As players get older and have families, it becomes more challenging to balance everything. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to play in my hometown."

The Blue Jackets may not be considered a playoff team this season, but Bednar believes that Johnson's experience and leadership will be valuable for a young team trying to find their footing in the NHL. Johnson shares the same sentiment and hopes to bring some of the professionalism and winning mentality he learned from his time with the Avalanche.

"One thing that the Avalanche did well was remain level-headed," Johnson said when asked about the wisdom he can impart from his time in Colorado. "Whether we won or lost a few games, the attitude in the locker room was always the same. They made all their decisions with winning in mind, both on and off the ice."

Are you hungry for more Avalanche news? Don't forget to sign up for the Avalanche Insider to stay up to date with all the latest NHL analysis.

[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]