Chad Johnson ‘Grateful for the Opportunity’ With B’s
By Duncan Day
Apr 13, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Chad Johnson (30) makes a save through a screen by New Jersey Devils center Ryan Carter (20) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Chad Johnson Happy to Have Been a Bruin
With the signing of goaltender Niklas Svedberg, the Boston Bruins have saved a bit of salary cap money, prompting Chad Johnson’s departure from Boston after free agency begins on July 1.
The 28-year-old tallied a 17-42 record, .925 save percentage, and a 2.10 GAA, some of the best numbers of an NHL backup netminder.
“This past season was an amazing experience for me. It meant everything professionally as well as personally,” Johnson said to CSNEE through email.
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“Professionally it was my first real opportunity in the NHL so I had/have a lot to prove as usual. Being around a great group of players, coaches and fans on a daily basis gave me so much experience that will only be positive moving forward,” Chad Johnson wrote. “[It was] a great group of guys, and that is why they always do so well. They are very humble and united as a group. It was such a privilege to be a part of it. Personally it was amazing. To have the opportunity to play for an NHL team full time, and to be apart of an organization like the Bruins was a huge honor and privilege.”
Johnson hadn’t seen much NHL action before this year, but once he got the chance to play 20+ games, he made the most of it, now positioning himself well for a pay raise in the open market.
Still, Johnson will miss taking the ice with the Bruins.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity Peter [Chiarelli], as well as Claude [Julien], gave me last year. They had a lot of confidence in me [despite the] very little experience I had at the NHL level. I am very grateful for the opportunity. I loved the city, and the passion of the fans for Bruins hockey. [It was] second to none in the NHL.”
The New York Islanders and Calgary Flames are among the goalie’s potential suitors, and capturing a starting role is certainly viable for Johnson.
“Moving forward, I am excited for the next opportunity to prove more and more,” he said. “I love to win, and be apart of a winning environment. I obviously would love to be able to help a team win a lot of hockey games. I am looking for a chance to really have an important roll with a team.”