Nov. 27, 1991
The Pittsburgh Penguins will meet Wednesday night to decide how to honor coach Bob Johnson. No matter what tribute they choose, they say it won't be enough.
Johnson's death from brain cancer had been expected, but that didn't lessen the sorrow of the team he transformed from one of hockey's worst franchises into Stanley Cup champions in just one year with his enthusiasm and energy.
The Penguins are to play the New Jersey Devils Wednesday night, but for once, Johnson's favorite expression -- "it's a great day for hockey" -- won't apply.
"It's a sad day and we won't feel like playing, but we'll do it for Bob," Penguins captain Mario Lemieux said.
"He taught us how to win. We're a very tough team to coach, a team that was known for offense, but he taught us how to play defense. He was the main reason why we won the Stanley Cup."
Center Bryan Trottier said: "I'll remember Bob as probably the most optimistic, bright, intelligent and positive man, with a heart that wouldn't stop. It was a heart that was a caring heart and his will was contagious."
General Manager Craig Patrick said: "He was so upbeat, so positive, he created such a very family-like atmosphere, he was really like the father to our organization. It takes a special man to take a group of young people and accomplish what he did in such a short period of time."
The Penguins may wear a uniform patch in tribute to Johnson, but goaltender Tom Barrasso hopes they honor him in a different way.
"Bob wanted us to go on and win another Cup," Barrasso said. "He talked of wanting to be part of a dynasty here. If we go out and do anything but play hard for him, it will be a disservice to Bob."
Praise from NHL President
The Penguins were on the ice Tuesday at practice when they learned of
Johnson's death.
He wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
"I know he's still watching us," forward Kevin Stevens said. "I know he can see us and that's a good feeling. He's up there watching out for us."
Johnson recently was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame and will be honored next February as Pittsburgh's man of the year in sports by the Dapper Dan Club.
"Bob Johnson's life revolved around coaching," said NHL president John Ziegler. "At all levels, he taught young men how the game should be played. His enthusiasm and love for the game were characteristics that he brought to the rink every day during more than 30 years of coaching."
A Minneapolis native, Johnson acquired his nickname, "Badger Bob," while coaching the University of Wisconsin to three NCAA championships.
The son of Swedish immigrants who changed his surname from Olars, Johnson played hockey at North Dakota and Minnesota and was good enough in baseball to sign professionally with the Chicago White Sox.
His baseball career was interrupted by the Korean War and, married with two children, he accepted a high school coaching job in 1956. He moved to Colorado College in 1963 and, three years later, to Wisconsin, where he was 367-175-23 in 15 seasons.
He then coached the Calgary Flames for five seasons, finishing below second place only once and taking them to the 1986 Stanley Cup finals. He was the executive director of USA Hockey in Colorado from 1987-'90, then was hired by Patrick in Pittsburgh.
Johnson is survived by his wife, five children and nine grandchildren. His son, Mark, played on the 1980 gold-medal US Olympic team and in the NHL and is playing in Europe this season. Another son, Peter, also played at UW and is an assistant coach there.
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