One of the best undrafted free agent signings of recent memory has announced his retirement from the NHL. Tyler Johnson played 13 seasons in the highest level of professional hockey and now he retires. One significant point on Johnson is that he was a winner.
Tyler Johnson retires from NHL after 13 seasonshttps://t.co/hP8PpDLlGw
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) July 7, 2025
Tyler Johnson Retires from the NHL
Tyler Johnson was just a hometown boy, who got his break by making his hometown team. As a 17-year-old, way back in 2007-08, Johnson won the CHL’s top prize for the team in Washington State. He won the Memorial Cup for the Spokane Chiefs. Furthermore, this victory would really kick-start the wonderful things that were to come throughout his hockey journey. He ended up spending four years total at Spokane. Moreover, it wasn’t until his final campaign there where things really took off for Johnson. Until that season, he had been more-or-less a point-per-game player. Then, in 2010-11 he really lit it up. He scored 53 times, had 62 assists, totaling 115 points in 71 games. It truly was a terrific ending to his junior career.
The Lightning Came-a-Calling
Not only was it great final season in Spokane, it led to greener pastures, much greener. Johnson would sign his entry-level contract in March of 2011 with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
As Tyler Johnson retires, reflecting really is called for. Now, as we journey back, Johnson wouldn’t jump right into the show, but maybe it worked out for the best. In 2011-12, as a member of the AHL’S Norfolk Admirals, he had a terrific season. He scored 31 goals in the regular season, was a PPG guy in the postseason, and the Admirals walked away with the 2012 Calder Cup championship.
Johnson would get the callup the following season, and the rest, as they say, is history. He would go on to play for three teams in his NHL career. He skated with the Boston Bruins, the Chicago Blackhawks, and most noteworthy, the team that signed him, the Lightning. In 747 career regular season games, Johnson had 193 goals, 240 assists, and 433 points. In addition, at the time of his retirement, he 32 career playoff goals, had him 33rd among active players.
That’s where his legacy of winning and career highlights seem to have taken place. His most significant career accomplishments were the two Stanley Cups he captured as a member of the Lightning. Congrats to the man who stood only 5’8″, and carved out a very respectable NHL career, and best of luck on his next journey.
Main Photo Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-Imagn Images
The post Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion Has Retired from NHL appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.