Erik Johnson gets emotional ahead of Ball Arena return
Johnson will play as a visitor at Ball Arena for the first time since spending 13 seasons with Colorado
Erik Johnson’s eyes were already red and filled with tears when he asked for a second to try and collect himself.
Johnson needed more than one, and apologized twice as the emotions of returning to Ball Arena overwhelmed him Wednesday morning. The whole scene, with a collection of Colorado-based writers encircled around him in a small visiting locker room, was a bit surreal.
It was also a genuine reminder of how much 13 years, more than 700 games and one brush with immortality at the end of a long journey meant to Johnson. The feeling is likely to be mutual when Avalanche fans serenade the Buffalo Sabres defenseman Wednesday night.
“A special place for me, for my family,” Johnson said. “Really excited to get back. It’s just a great organization with great people. Fortunate to spend the time I did here.”
Johnson spoke for about five minutes. He started by wishing Samuel Girard well while he’s in the NHL/ NHLPA player assistance program. He thanked Avalanche fans and Ball Arena employees, a place he called his “home away from home.”
The Avs have already faced Johnson, who signed with the Sabres in July, in Buffalo earlier this season. His return to Denver, and to this arena, clearly had a bigger emotional impact.
“I’m just looking forward to being out there and playing in front of the fans who were so great to me for so long,” Johnson said. “Just excited to be back. Denver is home for me now, so it’s just a great place. One of the best cities in the country, one of the best organizations. It was a great run. I’m super grateful.”
Johnson arrived in Denver in a blockbuster trade with St. Louis in 2011. He was a key part of the Avs’ brief rise in 2014, another tumble backward and ultimately the return to the top of the NHL.
His 717 games in an Avalanche uniform is eighth in franchise history, and second among defensemen behind only Adam Foote. His on-ice role with the defense corps decreased near the end of his tenure, but his impact on the stars of the 2022 Stanley Cup-winning team and the success of the group to come is a significant part of his legacy here.
“A great teammate, a great guy, he really helped me out at the start of my career,” Avs defenseman Bo Byram said. “He was always organizing dinners for everybody. I think the biggest thing is he just tries to make everyone feel comfortable. Being a young guy here, he always took me under his wing.”
The Sabres are going to
Las Vegas after the game ahead of their contest Friday night with the Golden Knights. Johnson is going to stay behind, with permission from his current club, and hang out with some of his former teammates after the game.
He had dinner with a bunch of them before their game in Buffalo. The Sabres won that one, 4-0. Johnson called the game Wednesday night a “business meeting” before he gets to catch up with old friends.
“It’s different,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “He was a big part of this team here for a lot of years and a guy that is well-respected and well-liked in our locker room. I think it’s fun for players to play against guys like that that have been around and they know really well.
“There’s always a little friendly banter, and then the puck hits the ice and they compete hard against one another. It would be nice with the bragging rights on this one so the guys can give it to ‘EJ’ a little bit.”