At the sound of the buzzer signaling intermission on Thursday during the inaugural day of the Cap City Summer Elite League, the majority of players swiftly retrieved their sticks and made their way towards the locker room.

Then there was Jack Johnson.

Johnson, the veteran defenseman for the Blue Jackets, has come full circle by rejoining the team as a free agent this summer. Despite his stints in Pittsburgh, New York, Colorado, and Chicago since departing the Blue Jackets after the 2017-18 season, the 37-year-old has always considered Columbus his true home.

This was evident when Johnson remained on the ice, gliding towards the distant glass to greet his three kids and also his nieces and nephews who were present at Thursday’s game at OhioHealth Chiller North. Johnson then guided the children to join him on the opposite side of the glass. After fulfilling autograph requests from numerous fans, he devoted the remaining intermission time to be with his family.

Doing that in a summer skate is already pretty cool, but just think about how much more special it will be when we’re at Nationwide Arena this fall. That’s one of the main reasons why Johnson is thrilled to be back with the Blue Jackets this summer.

Johnson expressed that his family holds utmost significance in his life, and the current opportunity for them to be more involved is an ideal situation. Witnessing his children, nieces, and nephews in the stands fills him with immense joy and holds tremendous value for him.

This is an opportunity for the experienced defenseman, who hails from the vicinity of Detroit and competed at the University of Michigan, to enjoy the final stages of a lengthy profession. It is the place where he established a permanent residence, forming a connection with his wife, Kelly, and settling in Dublin. Johnson has considered this place his home ever since he defended the blue line for the Blue Jackets between 2012 and 2018.

Despite spending the past five seasons elsewhere, with notable achievements like winning the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2022, Johnson still considers Central Ohio the ideal place to be during the offseason.

He expressed his adoration for the locality, emphasizing that it is an exceptional environment to nurture a family. Throughout the years, we have formed numerous friendships in this area. Our children are enrolled in school, surrounded by their cousins, aunts, and uncles. The contentment we feel with our current situation is beyond measure, making it impossible for us to envision raising our family elsewhere.

One noteworthy instance took place a couple of summers ago when he had the opportunity to spend an entire day with the prestigious Stanley Cup. Johnson made certain that the esteemed sports trophy visited Central Ohio, and even took it out for a delightful ice cream excursion in Dublin, alongside other enjoyable activities.

He expressed, “I was informed that I was the inaugural person to introduce it here, which was quite exhilarating. We had the opportunity to visit all of our treasured locations in the suburbs and share it with the individuals we desired to share it with. That’s the essence of it all. It turned out to be a truly memorable day.”

Johnson’s previous experience in winning a Stanley Cup ring is a contributing factor to the Blue Jackets’ interest in re-signing him. However, this decision is not based solely on nostalgia. As an NHL veteran of 18 years, Johnson has accumulated an impressive record, playing in 1,187 NHL games. Last season, he played 80 regular season games, in addition to 11 postseason matches, with the Avs. During this time, he scored three goals, assisted in 13 others, and maintained a remarkable plus-15 rating.

Despite no longer being the minute eater he once was, Johnson still holds a prominent position as one of the Blue Jackets’ top performers in various categories. He ranks 11th with 445 games played, second with 765 blocked shots, and eighth with 733 hits. Additionally, he has contributed 36 goals and 118 assists throughout his career. While his average playing time per game decreased from a franchise-record 25:58 in 2013 to 14:56 last season, Johnson’s role as a formidable penalty killer and physical force in his own zone remains unchanged.

He expressed, “Skating has consistently been a strong aspect of my gameplay. Physicality has always been ingrained in how I play. I consider myself somewhat old-fashioned, yet I am still adept at maneuvering the puck and attempting to create plays.”

Throughout the years, my game has undergone significant changes in response to the unique situations I’ve encountered. In the initial stages of my career, I excelled as a power-play specialist, while in the latter half, my focus shifted towards penalty-killing duties. This dynamic switch occurred, and I’m grateful to have acquired proficiency in both aspects of the game. I feel at ease performing in any situation, adapting to the team’s needs whenever required.

Zach Werenski and Ivan Provorov will continue their roles as regulars on the left side of the defense, with the addition of Johnson. Jake Christiansen and Denton Mateychuk will also be considered, but General Manager Don Waddell believes Johnson’s experience and leadership as a former alternate captain make him an ideal addition both on and off the ice.

Waddell announced the signing of Jack Johnson, emphasizing his exceptional professionalism, experience, and leadership in the league. Johnson’s remarkable skills and expertise will greatly benefit our team, especially our young defensemen. Not only is he in outstanding physical condition, but he also plays a straightforward and intense game. Furthermore, Johnson’s previous Stanley Cup victory and unwavering dedication to both the city and organization bring immense excitement to his return.

Johnson has revisited Nationwide Arena after his signing on July 3, encountering familiar faces and exploring the upgraded player facilities. Prior to Thursday’s game, he also acquired his new CBJ helmet. Rather than feeling surreal, he expressed that being back in his old stomping grounds is just enjoyable.

He expressed, “This place is where I grew up, and the circumstances have unfolded in such a way that you couldn’t hope for a more favorable scenario.”