Former Bulls captain returns to Billings as new assistant coach
August 4, 2004 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Billings Bulls News Release
Doug Johnson, former Billings Bulls defenseman and captain, has returned to Billings as the new assistant coach. Johnson played for the Bulls during the 1996-97 season before going pro. The Bulls won the league championship that season.
Born and raised in Climax, Saskatchewan, Johnson played four years of junior hockey, three years in Nipawin of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League before coming to Billings in 1996. Following the Bulls success in 1996-97, Johnson turned pro. His rookie year was spent in sunny California with the Fresno Fighting Falcons of the West Coast Hockey League, and then he was off to Bighampton with the Icemen in the United States Hockey League. Johnson then spent two years with the Lake Charles Ice Pirates in the Western Professional Hockey League. His final pro seasons were played in the Central Hockey League, in Texas, with stints for the Odessa Jackalopes and the Austin Ice Bats. Injuries forced him to retire after six pro seasons.
Johnson still resides in Climax, where he owns and operates a family grain and cattle farm. He recently coached a Frontier Midget Boys hockey team in Saskatchewan.
When asked about his return to Billings, Johnson said, "I am tremendously excited and enormously pleased to be given the opportunity to be a part of the Billings Bulls organization once again. The 1996-1997 season I spent in Billings brought so many cherished memories. I have always wanted to return to Billings in a coaching capacity. For me, it is a dream come true. To work with Al Bloomer and Mike Aikens behind the bench is an amazing opportunity. There are so many things to be grateful for. I am looking forward to the upcoming season. It is nice to be home again."
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