George Johnson
Inducted 2006
Primary Outlet
Winnipeg Tribune, Calgary Sun
Growing up a huge sports fan, George Johnson began his career at the Winnipeg Tribune in the late 1970s under the stewardship of sports editor Jack Matheson, while still studying journalism at Red River Community College.
He moved to the Winnipeg Sun a year into its inception and then west to Alberta and the Edmonton Sun before shifting three hours south to Calgary, also at the Sun. There he began what would be a 16-season stint as beat writer on the National Hockey League Flames.
In 2000, Johnson accepted a columnist role at the Calgary Herald and stayed there for 17 years. Following his departure from the Herald, he continued the local hockey connection, contributing to the Calgary Flames’ website for two further seasons.
Though hockey was his main focus, during a 40-plus-year writing career, Johnson’s sporting interest extended far beyond the rink. He covered numerous Stanley Cup finals, including the three four-series runs by the Flames, Canada Cup hockey tournaments, the Canadian Football League, seven Olympic Games and, most memorably for him, four men’s and three women’s soccer World Cups.
He has co-authored books such as Quest for the Cup, Hockey Dynasties, NFL Heroes and NFL Moments. Individually, he penned three Calgary Flames titles: 100 Things Flames Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, If These Walls Could Talk - Peter Maher (reminisces of the Hall of Fame radio voice of the Flames) and a book chronicling stories from longtime Flames’ trainer Jim ‘Bearcat’ Murray.
Johnson’s life in sport also led to personal joy. He met wife Rita, a fellow sportswriter, while the two worked together at the Tribune. They raised two daughters, Michela and Sabrina.
His talent and versatility was recognized in 2006 when he received Sports Media Canada’s Outstanding Sportswriting Award.
George Johnson was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 2007.
He moved to the Winnipeg Sun a year into its inception and then west to Alberta and the Edmonton Sun before shifting three hours south to Calgary, also at the Sun. There he began what would be a 16-season stint as beat writer on the National Hockey League Flames.
In 2000, Johnson accepted a columnist role at the Calgary Herald and stayed there for 17 years. Following his departure from the Herald, he continued the local hockey connection, contributing to the Calgary Flames’ website for two further seasons.
Though hockey was his main focus, during a 40-plus-year writing career, Johnson’s sporting interest extended far beyond the rink. He covered numerous Stanley Cup finals, including the three four-series runs by the Flames, Canada Cup hockey tournaments, the Canadian Football League, seven Olympic Games and, most memorably for him, four men’s and three women’s soccer World Cups.
He has co-authored books such as Quest for the Cup, Hockey Dynasties, NFL Heroes and NFL Moments. Individually, he penned three Calgary Flames titles: 100 Things Flames Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, If These Walls Could Talk - Peter Maher (reminisces of the Hall of Fame radio voice of the Flames) and a book chronicling stories from longtime Flames’ trainer Jim ‘Bearcat’ Murray.
Johnson’s life in sport also led to personal joy. He met wife Rita, a fellow sportswriter, while the two worked together at the Tribune. They raised two daughters, Michela and Sabrina.
His talent and versatility was recognized in 2006 when he received Sports Media Canada’s Outstanding Sportswriting Award.
George Johnson was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 2007.