Philly Leader

Erik Johnson, a defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers, is on the brink of a significant milestone in his National Hockey League (NHL) career. As he prepares to play his 1,000th game, Johnson reflects on the journey that has brought him to this point.

"I've certainly played long enough to have hit it a while ago," Johnson remarked. He acknowledged that injuries had delayed reaching this milestone sooner. "But I've had some real tough injuries, some I wasn't sure I was going to come back from," he added.

Johnson's resilience is evident as he approaches his 1,000th game against the Buffalo Sabres at Wells Fargo Center. At 36 years old, Johnson has two points in 12 games this season and boasts a career total of 345 points over 999 regular-season games with various teams including the St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche.

Selected first overall by the Blues in the 2006 NHL Draft, Johnson will become only the sixth defenseman picked No. 1 to reach this milestone. Reflecting on his achievement, he said, "I feel super grateful and lucky."

Johnson's career has been marred by significant injuries since an accident before what would have been his second NHL season left him sidelined for an entire year. Despite these setbacks, he returned stronger each time.

In recent years, a concussion nearly ended his career prematurely. Encouragement from teammates Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog helped him persevere through recovery.

"Huge part of our Cup team on and off the ice," MacKinnon commented on Johnson's contributions during their Stanley Cup-winning season with Colorado in 2022.

Off-ice antics also characterize Johnson's personality within teams he's played for. Known for light-hearted pranks like his fake video trick or teaching rookie Matvei Michkov English phrases as jokes, he maintains morale among teammates.

Philadelphia Flyers General Manager Daniel Briere appreciates Johnson’s impact both on and off the ice: "He keeps things loose... Amazing teammate to have."

As Johnson continues into another season with reduced expectations but undiminished passion for hockey: "I literally don't care what my role is," he stated emphatically about supporting team efforts however needed.

The road hasn’t always been easy; yet Erik remains committed: "I love coming to rink every day really," expressing dedication towards playing until physically unable anymore due injury recurrence or pain levels preventing enjoyment thereof altogether

Ryan Boulding contributed independently towards reporting contained herein