The National Hockey League today announced Jim Johannson has been named the recipient of the 2018 Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States.
The annual award, one of the most prestigious in hockey, was presented to the National Hockey League by the New York Rangers in 1966. It honors the memory of Lester Patrick, who spent 50 years in hockey as a player, coach and general manager and was a pioneer in the sport’s development.
“The Lester Patrick Trophy is presented for ‘service to hockey in the United States.’ Jim Johannson’s entire playing career and professional life were dedicated to the game of hockey,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettmansaid. “From his playing days at the University of Wisconsin and for U.S. National and Olympic Teams, through his two-decade career at USA Hockey, Jim worked tirelessly to grow our game at all levels in the United States.”
“His impact on our game was immense and improved the experience for Americans from the youth and recreational levels through the select elite chosen for National Teams. His selfless approach and delight in helping others shine made friends and admirers throughout the hockey community.”
Johannson, who passed away on Jan. 21, will be honored as part of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 12, in Nashville at the JW Marriott Hotel. The Lester Patrick Trophy will be presented to Johannson’s wife, Abby Johannson.
Playing college hockey at the University of Wisconsin from 1982-86 Johannson helped the Badgers capture the NCAA title as a freshman. He was selected by the Hartford Whalers in the 7th round (130th overall) of the 1982 NHL Draft and went on to play 374 games of professional hockey between 1987-94 in the International Hockey League where he registered 279 points, including 119 goals. He twice played for the U.S. in the Olympic Winter Games (1988, 1992) and was also a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team that participated in the 1992 IIHF Men’s World Championship.
In 2000, after spending five years (1995-2000) as the general manager of the Twin Cities Vulcans, a Junior A team in the United States Hockey League, Johannson joined USA Hockey as a manager of international activities and U.S. Olympic Committee Relations.
Johannson was promoted to senior director of hockey operations on Aug. 5, 2003, and on June 25, 2007, assumed the position of assistant executive director of hockey operations, where he oversaw all in-sport related initiatives, including USA Hockey’s efforts in putting teams on the field of play for international competition.
Among the numerous accomplishments during his tenure, the most significant include U.S. teams capturing 64 medals in major international competition, including 34 gold, 19 silver and 11 bronze; the launching and implementation of the highly acclaimed American Development Model; and securing USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan, as a home for all U.S. teams to utilize.
In addition to honoring Johannson with the Lester Patrick Trophy, Red Berenson, Natalie Darwitz, Hago Harrington, David Poile and Paul Stewart will be inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame on Wednesday, Dec. 12th.
Past winners of the Lester Patrick Trophy include:
| 2017 | Peter Lindberg Dave Ogrean |
| 2016 | Mark Howe Patrick J. Kelly |
| 2015 | Jeremy Jacobs Bob Crocker |
| 2014 | Bill Daly Paul Holmgren |
| 2013 | Kevin Allen |
| 2012 | Bob Chase-Wallenstein Dick Patrick |
| 2011 | Mark Johnson Bob Pulford Tony Rossi Jeff Sauer |
| 2010 | David Andrews Cam Neely Jack Parker Jerry York |
| 2009 | Jim Devellano Mark Messier Mike Richter |
| 2008 | Brian Burke Phil Housley Ted Lindsay Bob Naegele |
| 2007 | Brian Leetch Cammi Granato Stan Fischler John Halligan |
| 2006 | Red Berenson Marcel Dionne Reed Larson Glen Sonmor Steve Yzerman |
| 2004 | John Davidson Mike Emrick Ray Miron |
| 2003 | Raymond Bourque Ron DeGregorio Willie O’Ree |
| 2002 | 1960 U.S. Olympic Ice Hockey Team Herb Brooks Larry Pleau |
| 2001 | Gary Bettman Scotty Bowman David Poile |
| 2000 | Mario Lemieux Craig Patrick Lou Vairo |
| 1999 | 1998 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team Harry Sinden |
| 1998 | Neal Broten Peter Karmanos John Mayasich Max McNab |
| 1997 | Bill Cleary Seymour H. Knox III Pat LaFontaine |
| 1996 | George Gund Ken Morrow Milt Schmidt |
| 1995 | Brian Mullen Joe Mullen |
| 1994 | Wayne Gretzky Robert Ridder |
| 1993 | Frank Boucher Red Dutton Bruce McNall Gil Stein |
| 1992 | Al Arbour Art Berglund Lou Lamoriello |
| 1991 | Rod Gilbert Mike Ilitch |
| 1990 | Len Ceglarski |
| 1989 | Dan Kelly Lou Nanne Lynn Patrick Bud Poile |
| 1988 | Keith Allen Fred Cusick Bob Johnson |
| 1987 | Hobey Baker Frank Mathers |
| 1986 | John MacInnes Jack Riley |
| 1985 | Jack Butterfield Arthur M. Wirtz |
| 1984 | Arthur Howie Ross John A. Ziegler Jr. |
| 1983 | Bill Torrey |
| 1982 | Emile P. Francis |
| 1981 | Charles M. Schulz |
| 1980 | 1980 U.S. Olympic Team Bobby Clarke Frederick A. Shero Edward M. Snider |
| 1979 | Bobby Orr |
| 1978 | Philip A. Esposito Tom Fitzgerald William T. Tutt William W. Wirtz |
| 1977 | Murray A. Armb John P. Bucyk John Mariucci |
| 1976 | George A. Leader Stanley Mikita Bruce A. Norris |
| 1975 | William L. Chadwick Donald M. Clark Thomas N. Ivan |
| 1974 | Weston W. Adams Sr. Charles L. Crovat Alex Delvecchio Murray Murdoch |
| 1973 | Walter L. Bush |
| 1972 | Clarence S. Campbell John Kelly James D. Norris Ralph Cooney Weiland |
| 1971 | William M. Jennings Terrance G. Sawchuk John B. Sollenberger |
| 1970 | James C.V. Hendy Edward W. Shore |
| 1969 | Robert M. Hull Edward J. Jeremiah |
| 1968 | Walter A. Brown Gen. John R. Kilpatrick Thomas F. Lockhart |
| 1967 | Charles F. Adams Gordon Howe James Norris Sr. |
| 1966 | J.J. Jack Adams |