Thomas Christian Johnson
began his life career in hockey, shooting pucks at sister Shirley who
was goaltender in the
broom cupboard. Early years playing on the frozen Baldur Creek and at
the rink reinforced this interest. As well, during his junior year, he
skipped a rink of Donald Cleghorn, Donald Bridge and Ivan Vickers to
the Manitoba High School Curling Championship. Loyalties to studies at
the University of Manitoba were transferred to the Montreal Canadiens.
Beginning with their farm team in Buffalo in 1948, he moved to Montreal
in 1950, and enjoyed the many years of Stanley Cup Championships as a
defenceman
for the Canadiens. He won the Norris Trophy in 1959. In 1963, he became
a Boston Bruin, and since his retirement from playing, has been scout,
coach and a member of the administration.
Adapted from Come into our Heritage, page 495
Tom was inducted into the
Hall of Fame in 1970, and was made Honourary Director of Big Brothers
Association of Boston in 1977.
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