BIRTHPLACE: Minneapolis, Minn.

BORN: March 4, 1931

DIED: November 26, 1991

TEAMS/ASSOCIATIONS: Colorado College, University of Wisconsin, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, U.S. Olympic and National Teams

Minneapolis native Bob Johnson, a graduate of Minneapolis Central High School, went on to play left wing for the Gopher Hockey team from 1954-55 under legendary coach John Mariucci. following a couple of high school coaching stints at Warroad (Minn.) and Minneapolis Roosevelt, where he won four City Conference championships in six years, he took over the reins at Colorado College in 1963.

After three years at C.C., he moved to the University of Wisconsin, where, in a period of 11 years, he led the Badgers to seven NCAA tournaments, winning three championships and one second place finish. It was there where the 1977 NCAA Coach of the Year recipient was given the nickname, "Badger Bob."

He also led the 1976 U.S. Olympic team to a fourth place finish at Inssbruck, Austria, and coached the 1981, 84 and 87 U.S. teams in the Canada Cup as well. In addition he coached the 1973, 74, 75 and 81 U.S. National teams.

Beginning in 1982, Johnson coached the NHL's Calgary Flames for five seasons. In 1990 he took over as coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, where in his first season, he led the team, which was led by superstar Mario Lemieux, to a Stanley Cup victory over his hometown Minnesota North Stars, four games to two.

A tireless promoter of American hockey, Johnson also served as Executive Director of USA Hockey for a three-year period in the 1980s. Then, in November of 1991, Johnson tragically died of brain cancer at age 60. Johnson's memory lives on forever from his now famous phrase, which epitomized his love for the game: "It's a great day for hockey."

Badger Bob was one of the greatest coaches ever to hail from Minnesota. He was later inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, in Toronto, in 1992.