The year was
1930, the location was Halifax, Nova Scotia were Don Johnson was born.
There was no
minor hockey at the time, Johnson did play school hockey in his early
days. He went on to St. Mary's High School and College where he
continued to compete at both levels. Later, he coached both teams with
the latter playing at the AUAA level. Johnson also played junior hockey
at St. Mary's in Halifax. The next two season Johnson played with the
Annapolis Valley's Middleton Maple Leafs, then he moved on to play with
the Digby Ravens. Returning to Halifax in the 1950's, he laced up with
the Fairview Aces of the Halifax Suburban Hockey League.
In the late 50's
Johnson moved to Campbellton, New Brunswick where he helped Tigers claim
a provincial title during his second year with the team.
As an employee of
the Bank Of Nova Scotia, Johnson was transferred to St. John's,
Newfoundland in December of 1959. He played senior hockey at the local
level for two years. During this time his St.Pat's team won the historic
Boyle Trophy both seasons (only the Stanley Cup is older than the Boyle
Trophy). Johnson was the an assistant coach with the St. John's
Capitals when they won three consecutive provincial titles to claim the
Herder Memorial Trophy.
After his playing
and coaching days were over , Johnson was elected president of the St.
John's Junior and Senior Hockey League and in the mid 60's was elected
president of the Newfoundland Amateur Hockey Association where he would
helped lead that province into union with the Canadian Amateur Hockey
Association. In the 70's he was the first elected an officer of the CAHA,
and later was elected president of the national body, a position he held
for two years.
During Johnson's
term in office, the CAHA returned to international hockey and the Canada
Cup, and helmets were made mandatory. He was an officer of the CAHA for
ten years and was elected an Honorary Life Member in 1982. Johnson has
attended every annual meeting of the CAHA since 1966.
The first Don
Johnson Cup was played in 1982 in Kensington P.E.I. Johnson had the
privilege of presenting the trophy to his own son, who was the assistant
captain for the winning Brother Rice Junior Celtics from St.John's
Newfoundland. Robert Cousins was the organizer of the inaugural
tournament and led the initiative to have the trophy named in honour of
Don Johnson
