Topic: Erik Johnson

Erik Robert Johnson (born March 21, 1988) is an American ice hockey defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was formerly with the St Louis Blues. Johnson, the number one overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, was drafted by the Blues from the U.S. under-18 national team and played one season at the University of Minnesota before transferring to the NHL.

Johnson played hockey for the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, Minnesota, before transferring to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to play for the National Team Development Program (NTDP). Johnson is one of the few Americans to have been chosen first in the NHL Entry Draft. The previous American to be chosen first overall was goaltender Rick DiPietro in the 2000 by the New York Islanders. Mike Modano and Brian Lawton were also top American draft picks in the 1988 and the 1983 drafts respectively, having both been selected first overall by the Minnesota North Stars. American Patrick Kane followed Johnson in 2007 going first overall.

He played for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers during the 2006–07 season. Johnson was signed by the St. Louis Blues to a three-year entry level contract on April 20, 2007.