Ivan "Ching" Johnson got a late start in the NHL, making his debut in 1926-27 at 28 years old, but he entered the League with a wallop. He became one of the toughest defensemen in NHL history, playing his entire 12-season career in New York, 11 with the New York Rangers and his final season with the New York Americans as a player-coach.

"With his balding head gleaming under the lights, the 6-foot, 210-pound Mr. Johnson would carry the puck down the rink like a runaway locomotive at full speed," read the New York Times obituary for Johnson. "There were few opponents who dared to impede his progress."

After moving from his native Winnipeg to Eveleth, Minnesota, where he played in the United States Amateur Hockey Association, the defenseman was discovered while playing for the Minneapolis Millers. Conn Smythe acquired Johnson and defense partner Clarence "Taffy" Abel from the Millers, bringing them to the Rangers, where they helped solidify the defense in the Rangers' first year of existence.

Johnson helped the Rangers to the first two Stanley Cup championships in their history, in 1927-28 and 1932-33, as a fixture on defense. The 1927-28 Final saw the Montreal Maroons score six goals in five games in a series that showed off the Rangers' defensive prowess. In the 1932-33 Final, the Toronto Maple Leafs scored five goals in four games in losing to the Rangers.

Perhaps Johnson's best season was 1931-32, when he finished second in Hart Trophy voting to Howie Morenz of the Montreal Canadiens. Johnson was named to the NHL All-Star team that season, the second of his four such honors, being named to either the first or second team every season from 1930 to 1934. In 1931-32, he had 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) and 106 penalty minutes. He also finished fifth for the Hart Trophy in 1927-28, when he had 16 points (10 goals, six assists) in 42 games with 146 penalty minutes.

Throughout his NHL career, Johnson was known for his smothering defensive coverage, his toughness and his leadership, making him a fan favorite. He finished with 86 points (38 goals, 48 assists) in 436 games, plus 836 penalty minutes, and is still the Rangers' leader in penalty minutes in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 150 in 54 games, three minutes more than Jeff Beukeboom.

With the Americans, Johnson's final season in the NHL, he played 31 games with no points and 10 penalty minutes and in six postseason games.

Johnson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958.