Erik Johnson: 2014-15 Season in Iron Maiden Songs

Could Colorado Avalanche defenseman

be close to returning from his knee scoping procedure. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson had a season worthy of heavy metal lyrics, it was that epic, and that tragic.

Johnson played just 47 games in the 2014-15 season. In his seven-year career, he’s never played all the .games in a season. He would have in the 2013-14 season if then-Department of Player Safety chief player disciplinarian Brenden Shanahan hadn’t suspended him for two games.

EJ just hasn’t had the career he deserves, considering his immense talent and skill combined with his tremendous work ethic. Let’s look at how especially unfair last season was, as seen through the eyes of Iron Maiden.

Next: Career Season

Career Season

“Run, live to fly, fly to live, do or die Run, live to fly, fly to live, Aces high” ~from Aces High

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson is a star on the site and an All Star in the NHL. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Erik Johnson was on his way to a career season. In just 47 games he’d already amassed 12 goals and 11 assists. He led all defensemen in scoring until offensive defenseman Tyson Barrie finally scored his 12th in Game 75 of the Avalanche season. Barrie did not surpass Johnson in goal scoring.

Those 12 goals were a career high for Erik Johnson.He had his first-ever multi-goal game against his former team when he scored two goals against the St. Louis Blues. (Against the Blues as a whole he earned three goals and two assists in the five-game series.)

In addition, he was taking on more responsibilities with the team, playing on both the power play and the penalty kill. In fact, he led the team in ice time the whole season. He also was taking a bigger role in the leadership of the team.

Next: Condor

All Star

“His name struck fear into hearts of men Alexander [EJ] the Great Became a legend ‘mongst mortal men” ~from Alexander the Great

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson has been named to the NHL All Star team. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

In January, head coach Patrick Roy remarked that Erik Johnson was the Avalanche “best player.” He also strongly stated that EJ should be the pick for the All Star Weekend.

He was. When the All Star selections were announced, Johnson was the only Colorado Avalanche player to have made the list.

Johnson was over the moon, though he played it cool. Naturally, he thanked his teammates and coaches both past and present who “helped me get to where I’m at right now.” He remembered to thank everyone, in fact:

“I couldn’t do it without [my teammates] and a great coaching staff, great organization, great fans.”

Where he was right now was the seeming pinnacle of his career. After all the doubters and haters, Johnson seemed to finally be getting the recognition he deserved. He stated:

“It was kind of a rough road the last couple years before [his last two seasons]. It just kind of proves that it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks about you, just as long as you believe in yourself.”

It was his first-ever NHL All Star nomination, though he appeared in the rookie version his first year in the NHL.

Next: Knee Surgery

Knee Surgery

“What became of the man that started All are gone and their souls departed Left me here in this place So all alone” ~from Stranger in a Strange Land

Jan 21, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Boston Bruins left wing David Pastrnak (88) and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) collide into the boards in the first period at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Around the time of the All Star Weekend, it was noted that Erik Johnson wasn’t attending all of the Avalanche practices. He was taking a lot of “maintenance days,” days off that the players fought for in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

No one could ever call Johnson lazy or undisciplined. Those of us who noticed the absences from practice grew worried.

Our worries were founded. Johnson was taking so many “maintenance days” because he was suffering tremendous knee pain. He was trying to power through it, but the pain was getting to be too much.

As a result of all this pain, he had to bow out of All Star festivities. While some cynical pundits hinted that this was a ploy so he could rest up for a week instead of participating in the All Star Weekend, this wasn’t the case.

On January 26, 2015, Erik Johnson underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. He was predicted to miss 3 to 8 weeks.

This seemed such a blow to his career season, but one that could be overcome — especially if his recovery was closer to three than eight weeks.

Next: Reconditioning and Physical Therapy

Reconditioning and Physical Therapy

“Give me a sense of wonder To know I can be me Give me the strength to hold my head up Spit back in their face” ~from Can I Play with Madness

With his typical work ethic, Erik Johnson attacked his recovery. Within two weeks of surgery, he was in Philadelphia working with renowned reconditioning trainer Bill Knowles. The reconditioning was meant to not only strengthen his muscles, but train them to avoid injury and compensation fatigue in the future.

NHL teams are notoriously closed mouthed when it comes to injured players. The Avalanche don’t allow players on injured reserve to even talk to the media. That’s fair. We fans are concerned, but it’s ultimately none of our business.

Of course, that means we don’t really know what was going on. A week into recovery, coach Roy announced that Johnson was swimming and doing light weights. However, it wasn’t until two weeks after his reconditioning — and six weeks into his recovery — that coach Roy announced EJ was skating again.

A week later Johnson was showing up to practices in a red No Contact jersey. Around that time the Avalanche were on the road a lot, so it’s hard to know how many practices Johnson was able to participate in.

Next: Season Finished

Season Finished

“Tell Me why I have to be a power slave. I don’t want to die, I’m a god, why can’t I live on?” ~from Powerslave

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

By now you know that Erik Johnson missed the remainder of the 2014-15 season. He went into surgery on January 26, but he didn’t return. He stayed practicing in that No Contact jersey until there were no more practices and no more season.

Finally, on April 11, 2015, Johnson and the other players on IR were made available to the media. Johnson didn’t reveal anything too surprising:

“Obviously really frustrating to not be able to come back after have such a good first half to the year…I was on pace for a career year. It would have been nice to finish that out and see where it took me, but I know what I’m capable of now, and I know I still have more room to grow. I can be better and take on more responsibility — I’ll be back 100 percent and hungry next season.”

It was frustrating for all of us to watch EJ, our Condor, the much-maligned defenseman to have his career season cut so short.

Luckily, Erik Johnson doesn’t have to be the “power slave” who dies rather than living on. He’s still on the young side — 27 — and still has plenty of career ahead of him. As Avs fans we wish he’d been able to see the whole season out. However, he promises he’s hungry and 100 percent — that’s sure to inspire new types of songs for next season.

Next: The Curse of Being EJ

Next: Erik Johnson's Number Retired by High School

More from Mile High Sticking

• Could Colorado Avalanche move on from Pavel Francouz next offseason?
• 4 goalies to replace Pavel Francouz if he has to miss time
• Colorado Avalanche make sneaky signing with Tatar
• Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog could return in 2023-24 playoffs
• Colorado Avalanche rookie face-off tournament roster

More About Erik Johnson

:

Erik Johnson’s Contract Top Priority for the Avs

TBT: Erik Johnson’s First Goal as an Avalanche

Evaluating Avalanche’s Erik Johnson

Erik Johnson Makes Fan’s Day

Johnson Necessary Aspect of Avs Defense

Erik Johnson Talks Horses