DENVER — Less than four months ago, Jack Johnson became the 19th player in NHL history to win his first career Stanley Cup after playing in more than 1,000 career games.
On Monday night, Johnson officially got his championship ring after the Colorado Avalanche held a private dinner ceremony with the players, coaches and team members from the 2021-22 team and it was better than he ever could have imagined.
"The box actually has a video of the last few seconds of the game, so you get to constantly relive it whenever you open the box," Johnson said. "It's definitely emotional, especially to all be there together and get it at the same time was pretty cool. The Cup was there again last night and getting to see that again, it never gets old.
"It's always fun to be back with those guys. We'll forever have a bond together, going through something like that. It hasn't been that long, but you walk into that room and it's kind of like no time has passed. I'm sure it'll be like that forever when we see each other in person."
Johnson signed a one-year contract over the offseason with the Blackhawks, who open their season in Colorado on Wednesday night. His first game with his new team will be against his old team, with whom he won a Stanley Cup.
Talk about an unusual feeling.
"Definitely something I've never encountered," Johnson said. "I've been around a long time, I've never been in a situation like that. I think it'll be very emotional. It's definitely going to be a weird game, lining up across from guys I got nothing but love for and share a special bond with. I'm definitely going to take a moment to take a look at the banner."
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The Avalanche will raise their championship banner before Wednesday's game against the Blackhawks in a special ceremony, but Johnson isn't sure if he's going to be part of it in some capacity yet. He doesn't seem too hung up about it though.
"I have no idea," Johnson laughed. "No idea. If I'm not, I'll be on the ice eventually and I'll take a good look at it and take it in, because it's special. ... It's going to be a special night and there will be tons of emotions."
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