Tyler Johnson, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning, announced his retirement from professional hockey on Monday after 13 seasons in the NHL. The 34-year-old forward made the announcement through a heartfelt Instagram post, ending a career that defied expectations from the start.
“As a short kid from a small town, I saw my chances of playing in the NHL as very slim,” Johnson wrote in his retirement message. “But my family — my parents, Ken and Debbie, and my grandparents — believed in me when doubt clouded my mind. Their unwavering faith turned that dream into reality.”
Standing at just 5-foot-8, Johnson overcame his size disadvantage to create a remarkable career. He entered the NHL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning in March 2011. This unusual path to the league makes his achievements all the more impressive.
Johnson quickly proved his worth at hockey’s highest level. During the 2013-14 season, his first full NHL campaign, he scored 24 goals and added 26 assists for 50 points in 82 games. This performance earned him a spot on the NHL All-Rookie team and a third-place finish in voting for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the league’s top rookie.
The following season was even better as Johnson set career highs with 29 goals and 43 assists for 72 points. He made his mark in the playoffs that year too, leading all NHL players with 13 goals during the 2015 postseason as Tampa Bay reached the Stanley Cup Final before losing to Chicago. His playoff run was made more impressive considering he suffered a broken wrist during that final series.
Johnson’s NHL career numbers include 193 goals and 240 assists for 433 points in 747 regular-season games. He added another 32 goals and 33 assists in 116 playoff games, with his biggest success coming when he helped the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021.
Beyond the NHL, Johnson was a winner at every level of hockey. He captured the Western Hockey League and Memorial Cup championships in 2008 with his hometown Spokane Chiefs. He also won the American Hockey League’s Calder Cup with the Norfolk Admirals in 2012, showing his consistent ability to contribute to championship teams.
Johnson spent nine seasons with Tampa Bay, recording 161 goals and establishing himself as an important part of the Lightning’s core during their rise to NHL dominance. He ranks eighth in Lightning franchise history with those 161 goals.
After his time in Tampa, Johnson played three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks before finishing his career with a brief nine-game stint with the Boston Bruins in the 2024-25 season. His final NHL game came on December 12, 2024, against the Seattle Kraken—a fitting opponent for the Spokane, Washington native.
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Injuries played a significant role in the latter part of Johnson’s career. He battled various health issues from 2015 onward, which limited his playing time and ultimately factored into his retirement decision as he approaches his 35th birthday on July 29.
“After a lifetime devoted to hockey, I’m ready for what’s next,” Johnson said in his retirement announcement. “I’m thrilled to focus on starting a family and exploring new paths. This moment is bittersweet, but I leave the game with no regrets, only gratitude for the rinks, the teammates, the fans, and a sport that will always ignite my soul.”
Johnson’s career stands as a testament to perseverance and skill, proving that with determination, even an undersized, undrafted player can reach hockey’s highest peaks
