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DU Hockey Legends

Marshall Johnston: From DU To The NHL

Career Stats

Marshall Johnston won a National Championship as a player and coached at the University of Denver, but is best remembered for becoming General Manager of the NHL's Ottawa Senators.

Johnston began his journey to the big leagues at the University of Denver in 1959 where he won a National championship and upon his graduation he joined Team Canada in time for the 1964 Winter Olympic Games. His five years with the National Team included two World Championship appearances as well as a second trip to the Olympics in 1968. He joined the National Hockey League in 1967.

By 1968, Johnston was a veteran of Team Canada and he was named captain of the team. The Canadians faired well at the games and Johnston's solid defensive play helped lead the team to a Bronze medal victory.

After the Olympics Johnston made the leap to the National Hockey League when he joined the expansion Minnesota North Stars late in the 1967-68 campaign. But despite his international experience, he couldn't secure a regular spot on the North Stars blue line and after appearing in just 49 games for Minnesota over four seasons his career required a change of scenery. His final year in the North Star organization, 1970-71, was a very successful one for Johnston, even if he did spent just one game in the NHL. In the minors that year he scored 56 points in 69 games and captured the Eddie Shore Award as the American Hockey League's outstanding defenseman.

Despite his performance with their farm club, the North Stars traded Johnston to the Montreal Canadiens in the summer of 1971, but he did not remain with the club very long. Before he could head to camp with his new club, he was on the move again when the Canadiens shipped him to California Golden Seals in exchange for cash.

With the struggling Seals, Johnson was able to win a full-time job for the first time in his NHL career. He spent the next three years patrolling the blue line for California, and enjoyed solid offensive production in 1972-73 when he scored 10 goals and 30 points for the Seals. The following season was his last as a player, but his involvement in the game continued for decades after his final lap around the rink.

Johnston returned to his alma mater and became the head coach of the University of Denver following his retirement and continued the success he began as a player years before. He took over the reins at Dufrom his former coach Murray Armstrong. In his four years behind their bench he guided them to a WCHA title and captured coach of the year honors.

He then moved to the NHL by joining the Colorado Rockies as an assistant General Manger and assistant coach in 1981. This stint also included a brief run as the team's head coach as well. When the franchise was relocated to New Jersey, Johnston remained with the club and eventually ascended to the job of Director of Player Personnel, a position he held for ten years.

He then joined the Ottawa Senators organization in 1996 and held the same position before being named the club's General Manager for the 1999-00 season.

Also around this time Johnston was honored for his outstanding career with the Canadian National Team by being named to the International Ice Hockey Federation's Hall of Fame.

After three years at the helm of the Senators, Johnston announced his retirement so he could spend more time with his wife Barbara and daughters Jill and Amy.