If you were at the 2022 Stanley Cup parade in Denver, you probably saw it. Erik Johnson, at the time the longest-tenured athlete in Colorado sports, absolutely belting out "All the Small Things" by Blink-182. He wasn't just a hockey player in that moment. He was the soul of a city that had waited two decades for another championship.
Erik Johnson and the Colorado Avalanche basically grew up together. He arrived in Denver back in 2011, a 22-year-old former number one overall pick with a lot to prove. He left—or rather, retired in October 2025—as a legend who saw the very bottom of the standings and the very top of the mountain.
The Trade That Changed Everything
Honestly, looking back at February 18, 2011, the trade felt like a gamble. The Avalanche sent Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk to St. Louis for Johnson and Jay McClement. At the time, some fans hated it. Shattenkirk was a rising star. Stewart was a power forward.
But the Avalanche needed a foundational piece on the blue line. Johnson, nicknamed "The Condor" for his massive wingspan, became that guy. He didn't just play minutes; he ate them. We're talking 22, 23, 24 minutes a night.
He was the anchor. When the team finished with a miserable 48 points in the 2016-17 season, Johnson didn't ask for a trade. He didn't bail. He famously said he wanted to be part of the solution, not the problem. That kind of loyalty is rare in the modern NHL.
Erik Johnson: The Heart of the 2022 Cup Run
By the time 2022 rolled around, Johnson's role had shifted. He wasn't the top-pairing offensive threat anymore—Cale Makar and Devon Toews had taken those reins. Instead, EJ became the ultimate "glue guy."
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He played all 20 games in that postseason run. He wasn't putting up 10 points a night, but he was blocking shots, killing penalties, and clearing the crease. When Gabriel Landeskog received the Stanley Cup from Commissioner Gary Bettman, everyone knew who was getting it next.
Landeskog handed it straight to Johnson.
It was a "thank you" for 11 years of grit. It was a nod to the guy who stayed when things were ugly. That moment on the ice in Tampa Bay, where Johnson and Nathan MacKinnon fell into a heap in the corner celebrating, is basically etched into Colorado sports history.
A Career by the Numbers
While stats don't tell the whole story, Johnson's impact on the record books is legit. He finished his career with over 1,000 NHL games. Most of those were in the burgundy and blue.
- Games Played with Colorado: 731 (Second all-time among defensemen, behind Adam Foote).
- Blocked Shots: 1,373 (The franchise record).
- Hits: 1,288 (Third in franchise history).
- Seasons with the Team: 14 (Only Adam Foote has more among D-men).
The Brief Departure and the Final Return
After the 2022-23 season, it felt like the end. Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres as a free agent. It was weird seeing him in anything but an Avalanche jersey. He eventually moved to the Philadelphia Flyers at the 2024 trade deadline.
But the story had one last chapter. In March 2025, the Avalanche brought him home. They traded Givani Smith to the Flyers to get EJ back for the stretch run. He played 14 regular-season games and two playoff games in his final stint.
He even scored an empty-net goal in his final regular-season game against Anaheim on April 13, 2025. A perfect, if quiet, bookend.
Life After the NHL
When Erik Johnson announced his retirement on October 1, 2025, he didn't just disappear. He's already stayed involved with the Denver community. He’s been linked to potential studio work with Altitude Sports and mentoring roles with local college programs like the University of Denver.
He leaves the game with 95 goals and 348 points, but in Denver, he’s remembered for the hits and the heart. He was the bridge between the dark ages of the mid-2010s and the golden era of Makar and MacKinnon.
What You Can Do Now
If you’re a fan looking to honor EJ’s legacy, there are a few things that actually keep that "Condor" spirit alive:
- Watch the "1,000 Games" Tribute: The Flyers and Avalanche held a joint ceremony in late 2024. It’s on YouTube and features messages from Landeskog and MacKinnon that’ll probably make you misty-eyed.
- Support Local Youth Hockey: Johnson was big on the "Mile High Mites" program. Supporting local rinks keeps the pipeline he helped build flowing.
- Follow the Transition: Keep an eye on Altitude TV. Word is Johnson might be a regular face on the broadcast soon, and his hockey IQ is exactly what the fans need.
Erik Johnson didn't just play for the Colorado Avalanche. He became the Colorado Avalanche. From the "worst trade" to the first hoist of the Cup, he proved that sometimes, staying the course is the bravest thing an athlete can do.