• Johnson, Mark - 2001

Son of Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Famer, the legendary “Badger Bob” Johnson, Mark Johnson has carried on the hockey tradition in his family since his earliest playing days. After a youth career as a Madison Flyer, Johnson went on to Madison Memorial High School where he helped make the Spartans a high school championship team. From there, Johnson took the short journey down the road to the University of Wisconsin where he helped the Badgers to the national championship in the 1976-77 season, and went on to become a two-time first team All American in 1978 and 1979. He became the school’s second all-time leading scorer in three seasons, and still holds the Wisconsin records for most goals in a career and in a season.

Johnson fittingly finished his amateur career with the 1980 United States “Miracle on Ice” Olympic Team, where he was the leading scorer in Lake Placid as the United States took home gold in the Winter Olympics.

Following his Olympic days, Johnson went on to an 11-year career in the NHL, playing with Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Hartford, St. Louis and New Jersey. Johnson was named an NHL All-Star in 1984, and played in 37 NHL playoff games in his career. After two years playing elite division hockey in Italy and Austria, Johnson retired in 1992.

Johnson began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Madison Memorial High School, and went on to be head coach at Verona High School. From there, Johnson became the head coach and general manager of the Madison Monsters in the Colonial League. In the Monster’s first season, he guided the team to a playoff berth, and the best record ever achieved by an expansion team. He was named coach of the year in 1995-96. In 1996, Johnson returned to the University of Wisconsin Badgers, where he continues to contribute to his sport as an assistant coach to Jeff Sauer.

Mark Johnson serves his community as well as his sport by working with the Special Olympics, the United Way and Boy Scouts. Mark and his wife Leslie are the parents of Douglas, Christopher, Patrick, Mikayla and Megan.