Magnus Johansson (born September 4, 1973, in
Linköping, Sweden), is a professional Swedish ice
hockey player. He is currently a defenceman for the
Florida Panthers of the NHL, having previously been
captain for Linköpings HC in the highest Swedish
league, Elitserien.
Johansson started his senior playing career in his
hometown team Linköpings HC in 1990. The club was
then playing in Division 1 Södra, at the time one of
Sweden's 2nd tier leagues, and Johansson who was
appointed captain at an age of 18 would spend his
first seven seasons there. In the 1996-97 season
Linköpings HC was coached by Tommy Boustedt, and
when his contract ended and he signed with the
Elitserien team Västra Frölunda HC, he brought
Johansson with him. Despite his relatively small
stature Johansson adapted well to professional
hockey, and over the following six seasons he
developed into one of the league's most productive
defencemen. After winning the Swedish championship
with Västra Frölunda in 2003, Johansson signed a
one-year contract with SCL Tigers of the Swiss
Nationalliga A.
In March 2004 Linköpings HC, now in Elitserien,
announced that Johansson had signed a 4-year
contract and would make his, by the fans, long
awaited return to the club. Once again wearing the
captain's C, he has led his team to results never
accomplished before in the club's history in the
last three seasons; a second spot in the league in
2004-05, to the playoff semifinals in 2006 and to
the finals in 2007.
In June 2007 Johansson agreed a one year contract
with NHL side Chicago Blackhawks. He played half the
season with the Hawks that year before being traded
to the Florida Panthers for a draft pick.
