Johnson, Ivan (Ching)

Date of Death: 1979-06-16
Date of Birth: 1897-12-07
* Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame

He did not begin playing competitive hockey until 1919 when he joined the senior Winnipeg Monarchs. The next 6 seasons he played for the Eveleth Miners and the Minneapolis Millers of the AHA. When the New York Rangers were formed in 1926, he was purchased by them and the 28-year old started his NHL career. From the fall of 1926 to the spring of 1938, Johnson stood out as one of the most colourful defenceman in the NHL. He spent 11 seasons with the Rangers and was named to the First All-Star Team twice and the Second team twice. Johnson's NHL career ended with the New York Americans in 1937-38. He played 463 games and received 969 penalty minutes. In 2000, he was selected to Manitoba's All-Century Second All-Star Team.