Jim Johannson, GM Of US Olympic Men’s Hockey Team, Dies At 53

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of USA Hockey and the general manager of this year's U.S. Olympic men’s ice hockey team, died in his sleep early Sunday at his home in Colorado Springs. He was 53.

Johannson was born in Rochester, Minnesota. His death comes just weeks before the start of the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey, said they were "beyond shocked and profoundly saddened,” by his death.

“As accomplished as Jim was in hockey, he was the absolute best, most humble, kind and caring person you could ever hope to meet," Kelleher said. "His impact on our sport and more importantly the people and players in our sport have been immeasurable. Our condolences go out to his entire family, but especially to his loving wife Abby and their young daughter Ellie.”

Johannson played college hockey at the University of Wisconsin from in the 1980s and helped the team win an NCAA title his freshman year. The Hartford Whalers drafter him in the 7th round in 1982 and he went on to play 374 games of professional hockey between 1987 and 1994 in the International Hockey League, collecting 279 points, including 119 goals.

He played for America in the Olympics in 1988 and 1992 and was also a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team that participated in the 1992 IIHF Men’s World Championship.

Johannson spent five years as GM of the Twin Cities Vulcans, a Junior A team in the United States Hockey League. They won the 2000 USA Hockey Junior A National Championship.

Funeral arrangements haven't been announced.

Photo credit: Paul Sancya/Associated Press