Career
He has also coached in the National Hockey League for the California Golden Seals, Colorado Rockies and New Jersey Devils, and served as general manager of the Ottawa Senators. Johnston was an All-American player at the University of Denver prior to his National Hockey League career, and later coached the Pioneers from 1977 to 1981. He also represented Canada at the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Games, serving as team captain in 1968.
He broke into the National Hockey League as a player during the expansion season of 1967-1968.
He would play parts of four seasons with the North Stars before moving to the California Golden Seals in 1971-1972. Upon retiring as a player, Johnston served as head coach the Golden Seals from 1973 to 1975 before moving to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, where he spent six seasons on the coaching staff of the University of Denver.
Johnston returned to the National Hockey League in 1981, joining the Colorado Rockies as assistant general manager and assistant coach, soon being promoted to head coach. When the franchise relocated to New Jersey to become the Devils, Johnston remained with the club and was later named Director of Player Personnel, a position he held for ten years.
In Colorado, Johnston clashed with head coach Don Cherry, a rocky relationship which has lasted to the present day.
Johnston then joined the Ottawa Senators organization in 1996 as Director of Player Personnel. In 1999 he was named the club"s general manager, replacing the departing Rick Dudley.
