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Pittsburgh Penguins: The History of Brent Johnson

By Frank Merten

NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 05: The NHL 100 logo is seen on a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey in the locker room prior to Game Four of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators on June 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 05: The NHL 100 logo is seen on a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey in the locker room prior to Game Four of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators on June 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Brent Johnson officially became a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 21, 2009.

The Pittsburgh Penguins had just won the Stanley Cup avenging the previous year’s Cup Final loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Backup goaltending wasn’t exactly a strength of that Penguin team though. They elected to sign free agent Brent Johnson.

Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins /

Pittsburgh Penguins

Dany Sabourin was Marc Andre-Fleury’s backup the previous two seasons. While he was competent in that role at times, it was clear better options were probably out there. He was actually traded in January 2009 to Edmonton in a package deal to bring in Mathieu Garon. However, he would sign a free agent deal with Columbus after the season.

Bloodline

Enter Brent Johnson. He would actually be the second member of his family to play for the Penguins. His father, Bob, actually played 12 games in net for the Penguins during the 1974-75 season.

His hockey bloodline went back further than that. His grandfather is Hall of Famer and one of the 100 Greatest  NHL  Players, Sid Abel. Centering a couple other all time greats in Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay, he was a member of the vaunted “Production Line” of the Detroit Red Wings.Brent Johnson obviously had hockey in his blood and went on to have a 13 year career in the NHL.

Good Times in Pittsburgh

He gave a few pretty solid years to the Penguins organization and added a little excitement along the way. While it won’t go down in the NHL annals of greatest fights, he did make short work of Rick Dipietro.

That one punch left Dipietro with facial fractures and out for the remainder of the season yet again. Ah, the fragility of Dipietro makes one wonder why he would ever consider such a move. At any rate, Johnson should be remembered for his goaltending during his time in Pittsburgh more than for that single moment or his Led Zeppelin-themed masks.

Looking Back

He was a great a teammate and a favorite amongst many fans. Johnson genuinely enjoyed his time in Pittsburgh as well. Going unsigned after the 2011-12 season, he said in an interview with Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

“Great times, great moments. I met a lot of great people. Obviously, I love everybody I played with, especially my goaltending partner. Three great years with him. We’re still close and we’re going to remain close. First two years, I had great years. Fun, a lot of fun. Last year, I struggled with injury. I didn’t want it to end like that but it’s hockey, that’s they way it goes. I’m thankful for all my coaches and obviously (general manager) Ray (Shero). Everyone’s been a class act my whole time here. I was very, very pleased with my time here.”

He may not have been the greatest backup goalie in Pens History, but he is an underrated one. Today, he is a hockey analyst for CSN and works with young hockey players as the goalie coach for the Washington Little Capitals. Thanks for your time in Pittsburgh Brent!

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