Minnesota Wild sign Jack Johnson to PTO
The Minnesota Wild have added some depth on defense heading into training camp, as they've invited veteran blueliner Jack Johnson to a professional tryout agreement.
The Minnesota Wild have signed Jack Johnson to a PTO pic.twitter.com/BHtna7QPrt
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) August 11, 2025
Johnson is now 38 years old and while he's not as intimidating as he once was, when he's on his game, he can still be a very reliable bottom-pair defenceman. Last season Johnson appeared in 41 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets, registering six assists, while averaging just 12:52 of ice-time per game.
Johnson has played almost two decades in the NHL, and was part of the Colorado Avalanche's Stanley Cup run in 2022. Johnson gives the Wild another option for their blueline out of camp, as the team is going to be without Jonas Brodin to start next season. It's a no-risk, medium-reward type of move by GM Bill Guerin.
We have signed defenseman Jack Johnson to a professional tryout.
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) August 11, 2025
📰 Read more » https://t.co/AN0w9xJGfQ pic.twitter.com/wmXSUAavSZ
The veteran blueliner was originally a first-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes, all the way back in 2005 out of the University of Michigan.
A career spanning across 1,228 NHL games and 19 seasons, Johnson has played with the Kings, Blue Jackets, Penguins, Rangers, Avalanche, and Blackhawks, collecting 77 goals and 342 points. The Indianapolis product has added five goals and 21 points in 57 Stanley Cup Playoff games with L.A., Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Colorado.
