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Justin Johnson |
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Bringing plenty of WCHA experience as both a player and a coach, Justin Johnson begins his fourth season on the Gophers' staff as a volunteer goaltending coach.
A four-year letterwinner for the Gophers from 2001-05, Johnson was also a volunteer assistant coach at St. Cloud State from 2006-08.
In 2011-12, Minnesota goaltender Kent Patterson set a program-record seven shutouts in one season under the tutelage of Johnson. Patterson would end his career with a .913 save percentage (first in program history) and a 2.45 goals-against average (tied for first in program history).
Johnson posted a 2.88 goals-against average and 22-8-3 career record during his four seasons with the Gophers. He was named to the all-tournament team at the 2003 Western Collegiate Hockey Association Final Five after stopping 50 of 54 shots, including a career-best 36 saves in the title game victory against Colorado College. Johnson played for the Gophers' consecutive national championship teams, including a regional championship game victory against Ferris State as a sophomore on the way to the 2003 title. He was a three-time recipient of the team's community service award.
Johnson played his prep hockey at Blaine High School where he was a two-time all-conference selection and earned honorable mention all-state accolades as a senior. Johnson helped the Bengals to the state tournament consolation game. He played one year in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars.
Following his collegiate career, Johnson graduated from Minnesota in 2005 with a major in psychology. In addition to his coaching duties, Johnson has instructed at numerous camps over the past 15 years, including U.S. National Advanced Camps. He serves as USA Hockey's Minnesota District Associated Goalie Coach-in-Chief.
Johnson works with The Mental Edge, which mentors athletes of all ages and abilities by developing mental toughness skills. He has published an interactive and customized preparation manual for hockey goalies titled "GameDay." In addition to GameDay, he has contributed his expertise to numerous publications, including the USA Hockey Goaltending Coaches' Manual.
