Lakehead University Athletics and Thunderwolves Hockey would like to express their condolences and sadness over the passing of former Thunderwolves Hockey Director of Hockey Operations Jim Johnson. Johnson died at home this past Saturday at the age of 63.
Johnson was instrumental in helping get Thunderwolves Hockey started back in 2000 and served as the teams first President and Director of Hockey Operations until 2005. Johnson was also one of the key members who helped the formation of the very successful Thunder Bay Kings AAA minor hockey rep teams.
Lakehead University President Dr. Fred Gilbert said Johnsons passing is a great loss. Jim was key to mobilizing community support for Thunderwolves' hockey. As with everything else that he committed to doing in this city; he threw his energy and passion into making it happen. Thunder Bay has lost one of its strongest advocates.
Lakehead Athletics Director Tom Warden said Johnson made huge contributions to Thunderwolves Hockey and to the city of Thunder Bay. This is a huge loss to the community of Thunder Bay. Jim was very influential in the success of Lakehead Thunderwolves Hockey and working with him over the years was a great personal pleasure to me. My thoughts are with Jim's family and friends.
Johnson, a Toronto native, earned a BA in Business at McMaster University in 1966 and his law degree at Osgoode Hall at the University of Toronto in 1969. He moved to Thunder Bay with wife Judy in the early 1970s to become a successful lawyer and became a driving force in history of Thunder Bay and Lakehead hockey.
Johnson was a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Thunder Bay Law Association. He was also a registered player agent with the National Hockey League Players Association.
Johnson is survived by his wife Judy, sons Greg, Ryan, and Corey and daughter Sarah; as well as many grandchildren. His son Greg was the captain of the Nashville Predators in the NHL while his other son Ryan plays for the St. Louis Blues. Greg, Ryan, and Corey all played collegiate hockey at the University of North Dakota.