Andreas Johnsson Explained

Andreas Johnsson
Birth Date:21 November 1994
Birth Place:Gävle, Sweden
Height Ft:5
Height In:10
Weight Lb:181
Position:Winger
Shoots:Left
League:SHL
Team:Skellefteå AIK
Former Teams:Frölunda HC
Toronto Maple Leafs
New Jersey Devils
San Jose Sharks
Draft:202nd overall
Draft Year:2013
Draft Team:Toronto Maple Leafs
Career Start:2012

Andreas Karl Johnsson (born 21 November 1994) is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger for Skellefteå AIK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Johnsson played with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks, and Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the seventh round, 202nd overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Johansson won the SHL's Le Mat trophy championship with Frölunda in 2016 and Skellefteå AIK in 2024. He was also a 2018 Calder Cup champion with the Toronto Marlies.

Early life

Johnsson was born on 21 November 1994 in Gävle, Sweden. He is the youngest son of former ice hockey player Jonas Johnson. Andreas' older brother Jonathan is also an ice hockey player, who plays for Skellefteå AIK.[1]

Playing career

Sweden

Johnsson made his Elitserien debut for Frölunda HC on 18 December 2012 in a home game against AIK IF.[2] In his second game, on 26 December at Rögle BK, Johnsson scored his first career Elitserien goal, the game-winning goal in the shootout.[3]

On 21 April 2014, Johnsson was named the SHL Rookie of the Year, beating out Frölunda teammates Alexander Wennberg and fellow Maple Leafs prospect Tom Nilsson, as well as HV71's Kevin Fiala.[4]

During the 2014–15 season, Johnsson led Frölunda in goals with 22, also contributing 13 assists for 35 points from 55 regular season games played. On 4 June 2015, the Maple Leafs signed Johnsson to a three-year, entry-level contract.[5]

NHL

Toronto Maple Leafs

The following season was another sensational year for Johnsson, in which he finished sixth in league scoring and helped Frölunda capture their fourth championship. Having stated this would be his last season in Sweden and wanting to begin his North American development, Johnsson debuted for the Toronto Marlies—the Maple Leafs' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate—shortly afterwards in order to assist their Calder Cup playoff run.[6] However, his stint was cut short, as in his second North American game, Johnsson was hit in the head by an elbow from Albany Devils player Dan Kelly.[7] Kelly was suspended ten games for the play and Johnsson would not play another game that season.[8] During the 2017–18 season, Johnsson was named to the 2018 AHL All-Star Game as a replacement for fellow Maple Leafs prospect Kasperi Kapanen, who was called up to the NHL.[9] On 13 March 2018, Johnsson was called up to the Maple Leafs alongside Calle Rosén.[9] While Rosén was sent back down, Johnsson made his NHL debut on 14 March in a 6–5 win over the Dallas Stars.[10] He recorded his first NHL goal in the following game against the Montreal Canadiens, a 4–0 victory.[11] Johnsson recorded his first multi-point game on 2 April 2018 in a 5–2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.[12] Near the conclusion of the 2017–18 regular season, Johnsson was selected for the AHL's Second All-Star team.[13] Johnsson made his NHL playoff debut during the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Boston Bruins and recorded his first playoff goal on 21 April to help the Leafs win 4–3.[14] After the Leafs were eliminated from the playoffs, Johnsson was sent down to the Marlies to help them in their 2018 Calder Cup playoff run.[15] After leading all players in points during the playoffs, Johnsson was awarded the Jack Butterfield Trophy as MVP of the Calder Cup.[16] [17] As a restricted free agent entering the off-season, Johnsson accepted his qualifying offer from the Maple Leafs, signing a one-year, two-way contract worth $787,500.[18]

Following a successful training camp, Johnsson began the 2018–19 season with the Maple Leafs in the NHL.[19] On 24 November, in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Johnsson scored his first career NHL hat-trick by scoring three goals in the first period to lead the Leafs to a 6–0 win.[20]

On 28 June 2019, after scoring 20 goals and 43 points, Johnsson signed a new four-year, $13.6 million contract with the Maple Leafs worth an average annual value of $3.4 million.[21] In the 2019–20 season, Johnsson scored eight goals and 21 points in 65 games with the Maple Leafs.[22] His season came to an end after suffering a knee injury in a collision with teammate Kasperi Kapanen. On 19 February 2020, it was announced he would miss the rest of the season.[23]

New Jersey Devils

On 10 October 2020, Johnsson was traded by the Maple Leafs to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Joey Anderson.[22] After playing 121 games in two seasons with the Devils, Johnsson was put on waivers but went unclaimed before the 2022–23 season started and was sent to play for AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets. Johnsson later returned on recall to the NHL, featuring in two scoreless games with the Devils, before he was returned to the Comets. Through 36 games with the Comets, Johnsson was second in team scoring with nine goals and 29 points.[24] [25]

San Jose Sharks

On 26 February 2023, Johnsson was included in a multi-player trade to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Timo Meier.[25] He skated in 11 games for the Sharks, recording three assists.[24]

Pittsburgh Penguins

On 7 July 2023, Johnsson signed as a free agent to a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.[24] After the preseason, Johnsson was assigned to the Penguins' AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins; however, after not playing for the first month of the season, Johnsson was placed on waivers for the purpose of contract termination on 8 November 2023.[26]

Return to Sweden

Signalling the end of his tenure in North America, Johnsson immediately returned to his native Sweden and rejoined the SHL by agreeing to a four-year contract with Skellefteå AIK on 10 November 2023. In joining the club he was reunited with his brother Jonathan.[27]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGP PIMGP G A Pts PIM
2010–11Frölunda HCJ181299188
2010–11Frölunda HCJ18 Allsv151413271853142
2010–11Frölunda HCJ20309514430110
2011–12Frölunda HCJ1833582
2011–12Frölunda HCJ18 Allsv3606242464
2011–12Frölunda HCJ20421913327520000
2012–13Frölunda HCJ204223315454411212
2012–13Frölunda HCSEL7101050000
2013–14Frölunda HCJ2041450
2013–14Frölunda HCSHL4415924271014
2014–15Frölunda HCSHL552213353482244
2015–16Frölunda HCSHL5219254420162248
2015–16Toronto MarliesAHL20000
2016–17Toronto MarliesAHL75202747421160613
2017–18Toronto MarliesAHL5426285453161014244
2017–18Toronto Maple LeafsNHL9213061122
2018–19Toronto Maple LeafsNHL732023433271340
2019–20Toronto Maple LeafsNHL43813211410000
2020–21New Jersey DevilsNHL50561112
2021–22New Jersey DevilsNHL7113223530
2022–23Utica CometsAHL369202942
2022–23New Jersey DevilsNHL20000
2022–23San Jose SharksNHL110336
2023–24Skellefteå AIKSHL3061016121153829
SHL totals188635712068471071745
NHL totals259486811694142462

International

Awards and honors

AwardYear
SHL
Rookie of the Year2014[28]
Le Mat Trophy champion2016, 2024[29]
CHL
Champions2016
AHL
All-Star Game2018
Second All-Star Team2018
Jack A. Butterfield Trophy2018
Calder Cup champion2018[30]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: JONATHAN JOHNSON. eliteprospects.com. 14 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170709151033/http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=21816. 9 July 2017. live.
  2. Web site: Förlust – men junioren njöt. Loss - but the junior enjoyed. Rylander. Johan. 18 December 2012. Göteborgs-Posten. Swedish. 26 December 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20130617195715/http://www.gp.se/sport/ishockey/1.1167915-forlust-men-junioren-njot. 17 June 2013. dead.
  3. Web site: Jag har övat lite på träningarna.... "I've been practicing a bit in training...". Magné. Joakim. 26 December 2012. Aftonbladet. Swedish. 26 December 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20180315133443/https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/hockey/sverige/elitserien/frolunda/article15985353.ab. 15 March 2018. live.
  4. Web site: Andreas Johnson årets rookie . sv . Andreas Johnson rookie of the year . 20 April 2014 . 3 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402135404/http://www.swehockey.se/Nyheter/NyheterfranSvenskaIshockeyforbundet/2014/April2014/AndreasJohnsonaretsrookie/ . 2 April 2015 . dead .
  5. Web site: Maple Leafs sign Johnson; re-sign Brennan. 4 June 2015. 4 June 2015. Toronto Maple Leafs . NHL.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20150608001443/http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=769943. 8 June 2015. dead.
  6. Web site: Andreas Johnson makes his debut in Marlies OT loss . Pension Plan Puppets . Squires . Cathy . 9 May 2016 . 16 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160716133630/http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/toronto-marlies/2016/5/9/11639462/andreas-johnson-makes-his-debut-in-marlies-ot-loss . 16 July 2016 . live .
  7. Web site: Pack. Joe. Maple Leafs prospect Andreas Johnson helped off ice after big hit. Sportsnet . 10 May 2016. 16 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160617004304/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-prospect-andreas-johnson-helped-off-ice-big-hit/. 17 June 2016. live.
  8. Web site: McKenna. Ryan. Devils' Kelly suspended 10 games for hit on Marlies' Johnson. Sportsnet. 11 March 2018. 12 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20180312145400/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/devils-kelly-suspended-10-games-hit-marlies-johnson/. 12 March 2018. live.
  9. Web site: Maple Leafs Recall Andreas Johnsson and Calle Rosen. NHL.com . Toronto Maple Leafs . 14 March 2018. 13 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180313165529/https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leafs-recall-andreas-johnsson-and-calle-rosen/c-296900266. 13 March 2018. live.
  10. Web site: McCarthy. Dave. Stars at Maple Leafs preview. National Hockey League. 15 March 2018. 14 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180315133329/https://www.nhl.com/news/dallas-stars-toronto-maple-leafs-game-preview/c-296935928. 15 March 2018. live.
  11. News: Zwolinski. Mark. Leafs' Andreas Johnsson has a wall-to-wall smile after first NHL goal. 18 March 2018. Toronto Star. 18 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180318102847/https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2018/03/17/leafs-andreas-johnsson-has-a-wall-to-wall-smile-after-first-nhl-goal.html. 18 March 2018. live.
  12. Web site: Fox. Luke. Leafs' Andreas Johnsson making case for playoff roster spot. Sportsnet. 17 April 2018. 2 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180418161116/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/leafs-andreas-johnsson-making-case-playoff-roster-spot/. 18 April 2018. live.
  13. Web site: 2017–18 AHL First, Second All-Star Teams Unveiled. American Hockey League. 7 April 2018. 5 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180406042149/https://theahl.com/2017-18-ahl-first-second-all-star-teams. 6 April 2018. live.
  14. Web site: Sporer. Evan. NHL playoffs 2018: Maple Leafs squeeze by Bruins, force a Game 6. The Sporting News . 22 April 2018. 21 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180422201940/http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/nhl-playoffs-2018-game-5-toronto-maple-leafs-boston-bruins-live-updates-highlights-score-gifs-videos-eastern-conference/17s57b5duahb21b6fjyje32abx. 22 April 2018. live.
  15. News: McGran. Kevin. Marlies march on with Dermott back on blue line. 19 May 2018. Toronto Star. 15 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180519120957/https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2018/05/15/marlies-march-on-with-dermott-back-on-blue-line.html. 19 May 2018. live.
  16. Web site: Marlies' Game 7 win ends Toronto's pro hockey championship drought . Sportsnet . 15 June 2018 . 15 June 2018 . The two goals and assist from Johnsson gave him a four-point edge for the AHL playoff scoring title over Stars captain Curtis McKenzie. Johnsson earned 24 points in 16 games and was named post-season MVP. . https://web.archive.org/web/20180615110949/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/marlies-game-7-win-ends-torontos-pro-hockey-championship-drought/ . 15 June 2018 . live .
  17. TheAHL. 1007440197246521345. 14 June 2018. The winner of the Jack Butterfield trophy for playoff MVP is Andreas Johnsson! #CalderCup.
  18. Web site: Andreas Johnsson Accepts Qualifying Offer . NHL.com . Toronto Maple Leafs . 15 July 2018 . 13 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180715040107/https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/johnsson-signs-one-year-contract/c-299485704 . 15 July 2018 . live .
  19. Web site: NHL opening night rosters for 2018–19 season . National Hockey League . 10 October 2018 . 3 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181003221025/https://www.nhl.com/news/2018-2019-nhl-opening-night-rosters/c-300568996 . 3 October 2018 . live .
  20. Web site: Maple Leafs' Johnsson nets first career hat trick in first period. Sportsnet. 24 November 2018. 24 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181125120950/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-johnsson-nets-first-career-hat-trick-first-period/. 25 November 2018. live.
  21. Web site: Maple Leafs Sign Kapanen and Johnsson to Contract Extensions . 28 June 2019 . Toronto Maple Leafs . NHL.com . 28 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190629012635/https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/leafs-sign-kapanen-and-johnsson-to-extensions/c-308111890 . 29 June 2019 . live .
  22. Web site: Devils acquire Andreas Johnsson . . 10 October 2020 . 10 October 2020 . NHL.com.
  23. Web site: Maple Leafs search for reinforcements with Andreas Johnsson out 6 months . CBC Sports . The Canadian Press . 19 February 2020 . 28 February 2024.
  24. Web site: Penguins Sign Forward Andreas Johnsson to a One-Year Contract. NHL.com . . 7 July 2023. 7 July 2023.
  25. Web site: Sharks make blockbuster trade with New Jersey . . NHL.com . 26 February 2023 . 27 February 2023.
  26. Web site: Horwat . Nick . Penguins To Terminate Contract of AHL Forward . The Hockey News . November 8, 2023.
  27. Web site: Varmt Välkommen, Andreas Johnson! . A warm welcome, Andreas Johnsson! . . 10 November 2023 . 10 November 2023 . Swedish.
  28. Web site: Andreas Johnson named SHL Rookie of the Year, Will Be Future All-Star. Fisher. Justin. 21 March 2014. TheLeafsNation.com. 7 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20190424215026/https://theleafsnation.com/2014/04/22/andreas-johnson-named-shl-rookie-of-the-year/. 24 April 2019. live.
  29. Web site: Frolunda Swedish champions for 2015/16 . norran.se . 24 April 2016 . 4 May 2016 . Swedish . https://web.archive.org/web/20170920091146/http://norran.se/hockeybloggen/frolunda-ar-svenska-mastare-201516-576164 . 20 September 2017 . dead .
  30. Web site: Marlies bring a hockey championship to Toronto, win Calder Cup . . 15 June 2018 . 15 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180619021719/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/calder-cup-championship-toronto-marlies-1.4707012 . 19 June 2018 . live .