Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson may be a little camera shy, but as a leader, he shows up on social media when necessary.
The Colorado Avalanche social media team was on point this season. They delivered a lot of high quality content.
One of the NHL’s greatest commodities is their talent — the players who comprise each team. These are the people fans get behind — and spend their money to go watch and to support via fan merchandise.
Well, I may be biased — ok, on this topic, I am biased — but the Colorado Avalanche is an exceptionally personable team. That said, their cornerstone defenseman and alternate captain, defenseman Erik Johnson, does his best to remain inscrutable.
Coverage of EJ started the same as with all the other players. The Avs social media team put together introductory videos that they released just before the season began.
Here is Erik Johnson’s:
#⃣6⃣: Erik Johnson#GoAvsGo https://t.co/iNkUGA5AG4
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 5, 2017
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What I like about this video — besides Erik’s trademark hockey smile — is captain Gabriel Landeskog’s description of Johnson’s unofficial nickname, The Condor. In fact, EJ got that nickname a couple years ago when Altitude TV analyist Kyle Keefe remarked that Johnson moved on the ice “Like a condor.” Asked later what he thought of that description, EJ admitted he didn’t know what a condor was.
FYI: It’s a predatory bird with a giant wingspan. You know, just like our cornerstone defenseman.
So, as I mentioned above, Johnson notoriously hates having the PR spotlight on him. It’s not that he won’t talk to the media — I’ve seen him field some of the deepest, darkest questions. It’s just that he doesn’t want to be featured in public relations media.
Here’s an example:
EJ infamously hates the camera...
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 3, 2018
🙄🙄🙄 #GoAvsGo https://t.co/cQ8iQ27Oxw
No, really, I’ve watched players shuffle by a camera en route to the dressing room. Johnson will actually leap past, trying to hide behind a teammate, which is funny since most of his teammates are smaller than he is.
As the Avs PR team noted, there was one time Erik didn’t shy away:
Except for THIS ONE TIME!!
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 3, 2018
(We cherish this video.) #GoAvsGo https://t.co/bQfUMMsok0
See, Erik, you’re a very engaging personality on social media. Also, a part of me thinks he effects this anti-media persona as a counter to his best bud’s media love. (I’m talking about the captain, Landeskog.)
Here’s another example of EJ being coy with the camera:
When EJ thinks you’re not looking but he’s pretty predictable so you know what’s coming (and are already recording)... #NoFlinchingHere #GoAvsGo https://t.co/HC7eKoPKBw
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) January 16, 2018
A player shooting the puck at the camera is a pretty classic shot.
When called upon, Johnson did plenty of PR videos for the Colorado Avalanche. In fact, he participated in the KeyBank Sweden Flyaway game show with Tyson Barrie… with hilarious results:
Tyson and Erik are trying out their Swedish...
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) September 23, 2017
With some very helpful sentences 👀 #TeamBarrie https://t.co/R5HVynnPtz
This laughing gif is the best ever:
EJ was hilariously bad at our KeyBank Sweden Fly Away.#TeamJohnson #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/O1HKCKgetC
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 3, 2018
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On a serious note, Johnson doesn’t shirk his responsibilities like he shirks video of himself. Just one year ago, Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston. Erik Johnson helped the Red Cross by making calls on behalf of the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts:
Erik also helped the Red Cross by making calls during the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/snhbDOVTUW
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 3, 2018
Erik and Matt had a great time answering calls for #HurricaneHarvey Relief.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 30, 2017
You can donate for the rest of the day by calling 866-367-3001. https://t.co/vYKUJogdmk
He was also hilariously bad at conducting interviews for the Avs Ice Breakers:
Avs Ice Breakers will be back on Pepsi Vision this season!
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) September 18, 2017
(But only if Erik Johnson can get these interviews done... 😜) https://t.co/ppMPY2Ikjw
Maybe I see now why EJ sometimes shuns the camera.
You might not remember, but Erik Johnson is also an Olympian. He won silver with Team USA at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. Well, recently, he and some other Olympians in Colorado visited patients at UCHealth:
Erik joined fellow #TeamUSA Olympians to visit patients at UCHealth and spread Olympic cheer.#GoAvsGo https://t.co/LSVMWSj5Ih
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 3, 2018
Johnson is slowly developing into a veteran of the team. He recorded his 600th game this season:
Erik Johnson played in his 10th NHL season, including his 600th career game on December 3rd, 2017.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/jOZBXbVAK7
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 3, 2018
And he played a lot in those games, especially this last season:
Johnson averaged a career high 25:26 of ice time per game.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 3, 2018
His 30.7 shifts per game led the league.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/q0bnimWZoS
He also scored this beauty of an overtime goal:
This EJ OT goal... 🔥#GoAvsGo https://t.co/io71Zpd5VQ
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 3, 2018
Johnson has always been a leader on the team. This season he was finally awarded with the alternate captaincy — which is a role he’s long played:
EJ really stepped into his leadership role while wearing the A this season.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/jL8xkr0RuS
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 3, 2018
He’s also known for being the prankster on the team — he’ll probably never grow out of that, no matter how “veteran” he gets:
EJ is known to be a bit of a menace.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 3, 2018
🤣🤣🤣 #GoAvsGo https://t.co/wWz2U9llXm
Our Condor has come a long way from when he was the St. Louis Blues’ first-overall pick:
⬅️ 2006
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 3, 2018
➡️ 2017#TBT #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/V6RkGXnxxa
He also looks very dapper in his suit, all dressed up for the Kentucky Derby:
Happy #DerbyDay!
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 5, 2018
We’re cheering for whichever horse EJ is cheering for 😉 #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/5dMMqNvqJj
As much as Erik Johnson loves his racehorses — and he does love them — I know he’d much rather be playing hockey in early May. Hopefully he and the Colorado Avalanche will make that happen this season.