Johnson won the Stanley Cup six times with the Montreal Canadiens, including five in a row from 1955-56 to 1959-60, during 15 full seasons in the NHL. He also won the Norris Trophy as the League's top defenseman in 1958-59 and played in the NHL All-Star Game eight times.

After a one-game callup by the Canadiens in 1947-48, Johnson spent one season playing for Montreal of the Quebec Senior Hockey League and two with Buffalo of the American Hockey League before joining the Canadiens for good in 1950-51. The speedy, defensive-minded defenseman excelled on the penalty kill during 13 seasons with Montreal and two with the Boston Bruins before retiring in 1965. He finished with 264 points (51 goals, 213 assists) in 978 NHL games and 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in 111 playoff games), earning induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1970.

Johnson didn't get the acclaim that longtime defense partner Doug Harvey received. But he made few mistakes in his own zone and was willing to play a stay-at-home role while letting Harvey join the offense.

However, Johnson also had the speed and skill to break up plays and spark the Canadiens' transition game. He stepped up when Harvey was hampered by injuries in 1958-59, finishing with NHL career highs in goals (10), assists (29) and points (39), becoming the only defenseman other than Harvey to win the Norris Trophy from 1954-55 through 1961-62. Johnson also had five points (two goals, three assists) to help the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup for the fourth consecutive season.

He had 29 points (four goals, 25 assists) in 1959-60, finishing fifth in balloting for the Norris Trophy and helping Montreal win its fifth consecutive championship.

Johnson's time with the Canadiens ended after a facial injury during the 1962-63 season damaged his eye muscles; he was left unprotected in the 1963 NHL Intraleague Draft and was claimed by the Bruins. Two years later, a nerve injury to his leg as the result of a skate cut led to his retirement.

But Johnson's career in hockey was merely entering its second act. He stayed with the Bruins, stepped in as coach for three seasons and guided them to the Stanley Cup in 1972. He returned to the front office during the 1972-73 season and served in a variety of positions until retiring in 1998. Johnson was 79 when he died on Nov. 21, 2007.

"He played and won six Stanley Cups, he coached Stanley Cups, he won a Norris Trophy, he's in the Hall of Fame," former Bruins coach Don Cherry said, according to The New York Times. "What else can you do in hockey?"