Mark Johnson

Mark Einar Johnson is an American ice hockey coach and former player. He is the head coach of the University of Wisconsin–Madison women's ice hockey team, where he has built a dynasty with nine national championships, the most of any NCAA Division I hockey program. Johnson was a key forward on the 1980 U.S. Olympic team that won the gold medal in Lake Placid, leading the team in scoring with 11 points. He also played 669 NHL regular season games over 11 seasons for five teams. Johnson's honors include induction into the IIHF Hall of Fame, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, and the Lester Patrick Trophy. [edit]

Johnson grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, immersed in hockey culture as the son of legendary coach Bob Johnson. He played college hockey at the University of Wisconsin under his father, leading the Badgers to the 1977 NCAA national championship during his freshman season. That year he earned WCHA Rookie of the Year honors, becoming the first Badger to win the award. Johnson emerged as a star, finishing as the school's second all-time leading scorer with 256 points in just three seasons. He was a two-time first team All-WCHA pick and a two-time All-American, and he was named the 1978-79 WCHA MVP. In 1977, the Pittsburgh Penguins drafted him 66th overall in the NHL draft, and the Birmingham Bulls selected him 22nd overall in the WHA draft. [edit]

Johnson's most famous moment came at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. He scored two goals in the semifinal victory against the Soviet Union, known as the Miracle on Ice, and then assisted on the game-winning goal and scored short-handed to seal the gold medal against Finland. After the Olympics, he played in the NHL from 1979 to 1992 for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota North Stars, Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, and New Jersey Devils, totaling 669 regular season games. Following his playing career, Johnson moved into coaching. He served as head coach of the Madison Monsters in 1995-96, then as an assistant coach for the U.S. men's national team at the World Championships in 2000 and 2002. In 2010, he was head coach of the U.S. Olympic women's ice hockey team, leading them to a silver medal. Since taking over the University of Wisconsin women's program, Johnson has won nine national championships, the most of any NCAA Division I hockey program. His coaching has developed numerous Olympians, including Hilary Knight and Brianna Decker, both Patty Kazmaier Award winners. [edit]

Johnson is widely respected as one of the most successful coaches in college hockey history, known for building a perennial powerhouse at Wisconsin. The media portrays him as a strategic and accomplished figure with deep ties to Wisconsin hockey. His calm, authoritative presence on the bench and his ability to develop elite talent have earned him admiration from players and peers alike. [edit]

Mark Johnson's legacy is anchored in a unique dual identity that binds two generations of hockey fans: the clutch hero of the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' and the architect of the Wisconsin women's dynasty. His supporters do not form a single, unified cult but rather a coalition of institutional loyalists who wear the Badgers colors with pride and devotees of Olympic history who revere the Lake Placid semifinal. This fanbase is defined by deep institutional loyalty rather than personality-driven worship; they gather to celebrate the program's nine national titles and the annual commemoration of the 1980 gold medal run. While there is no specific fandom name like 'Swifties,' the community identifies strongly through their affiliation with the university or the historic team, creating a culture where coaching excellence is celebrated as a continuation of playing greatness. The audience engages through university media channels and alumni networks, viewing Johnson as a transformative figure whose calm authority has sustained a powerhouse for over two decades. This enduring appeal places him firmly among the most recognizable figures in the sport today. According to the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, Mark Johnson is currently the 18th most famous person in Ice Hockey, a position he has held steady since the previous cycle. This ranking reflects his sustained visibility across global media coverage and consumption signals worldwide.[edit]

Mark Einar Johnson holds the distinction of being the first Badgers hockey player to have his jersey number (#10) retired by the University of Wisconsin, an honor bestowed in 2019. He still holds the career and single-season goal records at the university. As the son of legendary coach Bob Johnson, he shares a rare father-son coaching lineage, while his own son Patrick played for the UW men's team. Johnson was featured in the Netflix documentary Miracle: The Boys of '80. Beyond the stats, fans retell the legend of his game-winning goal against the Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympic semifinal, a moment widely considered the greatest upset in sports history that secured the gold medal. Another core story of his mythology is his transformation from NHL forward to the builder of a women's hockey empire, having led the Badgers to nine NCAA championships over more than twenty years. These narratives are not just statistics but foundational myths that new fans learn early, cementing his status as a true American icon.[edit]

Johnson is the son of Bob Johnson, the legendary Wisconsin coach known as Badger Bob, who coached him at the University of Wisconsin. He lives in Madison with his wife, Leslie. The couple has five children, including son Patrick, who played for the University of Wisconsin men's hockey team. [edit]

Johnson is the son of legendary Wisconsin coach Bob Johnson. He coached Olympians Hilary Knight and Brianna Decker, both Patty Kazmaier Award winners. His son Patrick Johnson played for the UW men's hockey team. [edit]

Johnson is married to Leslie Johnson. The couple lives in Madison, Wisconsin, and has five children, including son Patrick who played for the UW men's hockey team. No other public relationships have been documented. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Mark Johnson's net worth at $10 million in 2026. His primary income source remains his salary as head coach of the University of Wisconsin women's ice hockey team, where his long tenure has generated substantial earnings. He also receives a pension from his eleven-year NHL playing career and earns additional income from speaking engagements and endorsements. This wealth has grown steadily over the years, reflecting his sustained success and high profile in both professional and collegiate athletics.[edit]

Johnson has won the AHCA Coach of the Year five times and the WCHA Coach of the Year ten times. He received the Lester Patrick Trophy in 2011 for outstanding service to hockey in the United States and the Vince Lombardi Charitable Funds Award of Excellence in 2004. [edit]