Rangers agree to terms with Defenseman Aaron Johnson

New York. (PM)  New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with free agent defenseman Aaron Johnson.

Johnson, 30, split last season between the Boston Bruins and the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League (AHL). He skated in 10 games with Boston, registering 10 penalty minutes. Johnson posted a plus or even rating in seven of 10 contests. Johnson skated in two games with Providence, registering one assist and two penalty minutes.

In 2011-12, Johnson skated in 56 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, registering three goals and 13 assists for 16 points, along with 26 penalty minutes. He established career-highs in assists and points. Johnson ranked third among Columbus defensemen in goals, assists, and points.

The 6-1, 205-pounder has skated in 291 career regular season NHL games with Columbus, the NY Islanders, Chicago, Calgary, and Edmonton, registering 17 goals and 45 assists for 62 points, along with 227 penalty minutes. Johnson made his NHL debut with Columbus on December 2, 2003 vs. Anaheim, and registered his first career NHL assist/point on December 4, 2003 vs. Nashville.

Johnson has skated in 253 career regular season games in the AHL, registering 26 goals and 84 assists for 110 points, along with 421 penalty minutes. He established AHL career-highs in goals (9), assists (26), points (35) and shots on goal (161) with the Milwaukee Admirals in 2010-11. Johnson has skated in 26 playoff games in the AHL, registering four goals and eight assists for 12 points, along with 62 penalty minutes.

Prior to turning professional, Johnson played four seasons with Rimouski Oceanic and the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), registering 40 goals and 155 assists for 195 points, along with 439 penalty minutes in 252 games.

The Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia native was originally selected by Columbus in the third round, 85th overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.