Erik Johnson: 2014-15 Season in Iron Maiden Songs

Condor

"“Fly on your way, like an eagle [Condor] Fly as high as the sun” ~from Flight of the Icaraus"

Nov 4, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) during the game against the Vancouver Canucks at Pepsi Center. The Canucks won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Erik Johnson’s nickname has always been EJ. He’s also been known as Edge and, by left wing Jarome Iginla, Eege. However, he hasn’t ever had a proper fan nickname — not a wide-reaching one anyway.

In a home game against the Ottawa Senators, Avalanche color analyst Peter McNab remarked that Johnson “skates like a condor.” This relates to his both smooth and predatory skating style.

During an intermission interview — EJ scored a goal during that game — Altitude TV personality Kyle Keefe asked what Johnson thought of McNab’s saying he skated like a condor. Johnson looked perplexed for a moment. With a wry smile, he admitted, “I’m not sure I know what that is.”

None of us were completely sure. However, it wasn’t too long before Photoshop images of Johnson’s head on a condor’s body were shooting across social media. Indeed, the Avalanche fan retailer AvsFam has even made a T-shirt celebrating EJ’s nickname. The Avs website ended up doing a special on condors — and how EJ was like one.

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