Lawrence Marshall Johnston[1] (born June 6, 1941) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, coach and executive. He played as a defenceman for the Minnesota North Stars and California Golden Seals of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also coached in the NHL for the California Golden Seals, Colorado Rockies, and served as general manager of the Ottawa Senators. He was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 1998.
Johnston was an All-American player at the University of Denver before his NHL career and later coached the Pioneers from 1977 to 1981. He also represented Canada at the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Games, serving as team captain in 1968.[citation needed]
Canada, Czechoslovakia, and Sweden finished with identical records of five wins and two losses at the 1964 Winter Olympics. Canada thought they had won the bronze medal based on the goal differential in the three games among the tied countries. When they attended the presentation of the Olympic medals, they were disappointed to learn they had finished in fourth place based on the goal differential of all seven games played. The players and Canadian Amateur Hockey Association executives accused that International Ice Hockey Federation president Bunny Ahearne, made a last-minute decision to change the rules and take away a medal from Canada.[2] Later that night, the players gathered in Father David Bauer's room where Johnston summarized the team's feeling that, "The shepherd and his flock have been fleeced".[2][3]
Johnston broke into the NHL as a player during the expansion season of 1967–68. He would play parts of four seasons with the North Stars before moving to the California Golden Seals in 1971–72.[citation needed]
Upon retiring as a player, Johnston served as head coach the Golden Seals from 1973 to 1975 before moving to the NCAA, where he spent six seasons on the coaching staff of the University of Denver, including head coach from 1977 to 1981.[citation needed]
Johnston returned to the NHL in 1981, joining the Colorado Rockies as assistant general manager and assistant coach, soon being promoted to head coach. When the franchise relocated to New Jersey to become the Devils, Johnston remained with the club and was later named Director of Player Personnel, a position he held for ten years.[citation needed]
Johnston then joined the Ottawa Senators organization in 1996 as Director of Player Personnel. In 1999 he was named the club's general manager, replacing the departing Rick Dudley. After three successful seasons at the helm of the Senators, Johnston announced his retirement so he could spend more time with his wife and family.[citation needed]