On this episode of MOJ Sports, host Bob Marjanovich chats with NHL Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen.
Born in Port Moody, Johansen began his hockey career with the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) during the 2008-2009 season. He quickly became a standout player and was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Johansen made his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets in the 2011-2012 season and quickly became a key player for the team. In the 2013-2014 season, Johansen had a breakout year, scoring 33 goals and dishing out 30 assists for a total of 63 points. That same season, he was named an NHL All-Star for the first time in his career.
Marjanovich asked Johansen what was the toughest thing about being a rookie in the NHL?
‘For me, it’s consistency. “I’ll come out in one game, play some big games, score a goal or give a nice assist and then I’ll do nothing for four games,” Johansen said.
In January 2016, Johansen was traded to the Nashville Predators for defenseman Seth Jones. He helped lead the team to multiple playoff appearances, including reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in 2017 after sweeping the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks in the first round.
“We went into that series like we were coming for their heads, and we didn’t lose anyway,” Johansen said. ‘For me, the motivation was through the roof. We’re just thriving. We just kept going and going, but nothing distracted us. We’re just a team on a mission, man, it’s so much fun.
Outside of the rink, Johansen has been involved with numerous organizations over the years, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
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