Career

Johnston was an All-American player at the University of Denver prior to his NHL career, and later coached the Pioneers from 1977 to 1981. He also represented Canada at the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Games, serving as team captain in 1968. He broke into the NHL as a player during the expansion season of 1967-68. He would play parts of four seasons with the North Stars before moving to the California Golden Seals in 1971-72.

Upon retiring as a player, Johnston served as head coach the Golden Seals from 1973 to 1975 before moving to the NCAA, where he spent six seasons on the coaching staff of the University of Denver.

Johnston returned to the NHL in 1981, joining the Colorado Rockies as assistant general manager and assistant coach, soon being promoted to head coach. When the franchise relocated to New Jersey to become the Devils, Johnston remained with the club and was later named Director of Player Personnel, a position he held for ten years. In Colorado, Johnston clashed with head coach Don Cherry, a rocky relationship which has lasted to the present day.

Johnston then joined the Ottawa Senators organization in 1996 as Director of Player Personnel. In 1999 he was named the club's general manager, replacing the departing Rick Dudley. After three successful seasons at the helm of the Senators, Johnston announced his retirement so he could spend more time with his wife and family.

Johnston is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation's Hall of Fame.

Playing statistics

 --- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1957-58 Prince Albert Mintos SJHL 0 20 29 49 21
1958-59 Prince Albert Mintos SJHL 0 0 0 0 0
1960-61 U. of Denver NCAA 0 0 0 0 0
1963-64 Canadian National Team Intl 0 0 0 0 0
1966-67 Canadian National Team Intl 0 0 0 0 0
1967-68 Canadian National Team WCSHL 0 0 0 0 0
1967-68 Minnesota North Stars NHL 7 0 0 0 0 -- -- -- -- --
1968-69 Cleveland Barons AHL 53 6 20 26 31 5 0 4 4 4
1968-69 Minnesota North Stars NHL 13 0 0 0 2 -- -- -- -- --
1969-70 Iowa Stars CHL 50 1 25 26 42 -- -- -- -- --
1969-70 Minnesota North Stars NHL 28 0 5 5 14 6 0 0 0 2
1970-71 Cleveland Barons AHL 69 11 45 56 45 8 0 6 6 4
1970-71 Minnesota North Stars NHL 1 0 0 0 0 -- -- -- -- --
1971-72 California Golden Seals NHL 74 2 11 13 4 -- -- -- -- --
1972-73 California Golden Seals NHL 78 10 20 30 14 -- -- -- -- --
1973-74 California Golden Seals NHL 50 2 16 18 24 -- -- -- -- --
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NHL Totals 251 14 52 66 58 6 0 0 0 2
					

Source: hockeydb.com

Professional Coaching record

Team	Year	Regular season						Post season
		G	W	L	T	Pts	Finish	Result
California Golden Seals	1973-74	21	2	17	2	(36)	8th in West	Missed playoffs
California Golden Seals	1974-75	48	11	28	9	(51)	4th in Adams	(fired)
Colorado Rockies	1981-82	56	15	32	9	(49)	5th in Smythe	Missed playoffs
Total		125	28	77	20

College Head Coaching record

Season	Team	Overall	Conference	Standing	Postseason
Denver Pioneers (WCHA)
1977-78	Denver	33-6-1	27-5-0	1st	WCHA Second Round
1978-79	Denver	20-20-3	14-16-2	6th	WCHA First Round
1979-80	Denver	13-22-1	8-17-1	10th
1980-81	Denver	23-15-2	15-11-2	4th	WCHA First Round
Denver:		89-63-7	64-49-5
Total:		89-63-7

Awards and achievements

• 2006 Stanley Cup champion (Carolina)
• IIHF Hall of Fame member
• 1971: Eddie Shore Award

[ Source: Wikipedia ]