skip navigation

2017 WJC | Jim Johannson, General Manager

Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey, is serving as the general manager of the U.S. National Junior Team for the eighth consecutive year. Last year, he guided Team USA to its ninth-ever medal at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship with a bronze medal finish at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship in Helsinki, Finland. 

Under Johannson’s guidance, the United States has captured four other medals in tournament play, including a pair of gold medal finishes at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia, and the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship in Regina and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He also led the U.S. to bronze medals at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, New York and the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship in Leksand and Mora, Sweden. 

The lead administrator in hosting the 2005 IIHF World Junior Championship in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Thief River Falls, Minnesota, Johannson has served on the staff of 15 U.S. National Junior Teams. He was the team leader for the first-ever gold medal-winning U.S. National Junior Team at the 2004 IIHF World Junior Championship in Helsinki and Hameenlinna, Finland.

A two-time U.S. Olympian (1988, 1992), Johannson brings extensive experience in international ice hockey both as a player and administrator. In addition to serving as the director of hockey operations for the 2016 U.S. World Cup of Hockey Team, he held the title of assistant executive director of hockey operations for the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team and was part of the management team for the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team that won the silver medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia. In addition, he served as the senior director of hockey operations for Team USA at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy, and was the team leader for the silver medal-winning 2002 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Johannson has been on the staff of 18 consecutive U.S. Men’s National Teams (1999-2016), including the 2015 and 2013 squads that won the bronze medal in Ostrava, Czech Republic and Stockholm, Sweden, respectively. He was previously part of the staff at the IIHF Men’s World Championship for six years as team leader (1999-2004), two as assistant general manager (2005-06), one as senior director of hockey operations (2007) and six as assistant executive director of hockey operations (2008-14).

A full-time employee of USA Hockey, Johannson joined the organization on September 1, 2000, as manager of international activities and U.S. Olympic Committee relations. He was promoted to senior director of hockey operations, a newly created position, on August 5, 2003. On June 25, 2007, Johannson was elevated to assistant executive director of hockey operations. He is responsible for the day-to-day management and integration of all in-sport related initiatives. He handles USA Hockey representation in obtaining players and coaches for national teams in international competition. In addition, Johannson interfaces with the USOC on matters of mutual interest.

A former U.S. Men’s National Team member, Johannson spent five years (1995-2000) as the general manager of the Twin Cities Vulcans, a Junior A team in the United States Hockey League. Under his guidance, the Vulcans captured the 2000 USA Hockey Junior A National Championship in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Johannson, a native of Rochester, Minnesota, played nine seasons in the International Hockey League, splitting time among three teams. Prior to embarking on his professional career, Johannson played at the University of Wisconsin, where he helped the Badgers capture the 1983 NCAA Division I national championship.

Johannson resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with his wife, Abby, and their daughter, Ellie.