Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson out with broken ankle

The Colorado Avalanche will continue to be without defenseman Erik Johnson as he recovers from a broken ankle, head coach Jared Bednar confirmed Sunday.

The news comes after Bednar told Denver media earlier this week that Johnson will miss multiple weeks while recovering from his injury.

Johnson has been out since Colorado’s 5–3 win over the Florida Panthers on Feb. 11, during which he took just two shifts for a total of 1:31. The 34-year-old defenseman has collected seven assists while averaging 17:32 in 51 games with the Avalanche this season.

Aarif Deen

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Jared Bednar confirms Erik Johnson has a broken ankle.

11:17 PM · Feb 19, 2023

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Johnson, who is Denver’s longest-tenured professional athlete, is currently in his 13th season with the Avalanche. He skated in 20 games during the 2022 playoffs to help the Avalanche capture their third Stanley Cup.

The St. Louis Blues originally selected Johnson with the No. 1 pick in the 2006 NHL Draft. The 6’4″, 225-pound right-handed defender made his NHL debut with the Blues in 2007–08, recording 33 points in 69 games.

Midway through Johnson’s third NHL season, the Blues traded him to the Colorado Avalanche, alongside Jay McClement and a 2011 first-round pick, in exchange for Kevin Shattenkirk, Chris Stewart, and a 2011 second-round pick.

Johnson has appeared in 908 games with the Blues and Avalanche during his 15-year NHL career, picking up 88 goals and 336 points along the way. He’s added four goals and 12 points in 48 playoff contests.

The battered Avalanche currently rank third in the NHL’s Central Division with a 31–19–5 record through 55 games in the 2022–23 regular season. The Avs are currently without Johnson, Gabriel Landeskog, Josh Manson, Darren Helm, and Pavel Francouz, all of whom helped them win the Stanley Cup last year.

Colorado defeated the Edmonton Oilers in overtime by a 6–5 score on Sunday. They’ll return to action on Feb. 24 to take on the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre.