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Jack Johnson New Number, New Trainer, and No Social Media (PHN+)

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Penguins Jack Johnson trade talk
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 07: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jack Johnson (73) hits Washington Capitals defenseman Michal Kempny (6) in the first period on November 7, 2018, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire)

Jack Johnson leaned back in his locker room stall and laughed several times Sunday as he chatted with Pittsburgh Hockey Now on a wide range of topics from how he became a defensive specialist, fitting in with the Pittsburgh Penguins, what he expects for his sophomore season and why he changed his jersey number to No. 3.

The most pressing matter we discussed with Johnson was his new No 3. sweater. He wore that number in high school and early in his hockey life but it was taken in Columbus and again in Pittsburgh, so he went with No. 7 with Columbus and 73 with the Penguins, though the Penguins initially offered a different number.

“They initially offered No. 77, but I wasn’t going to touch that one,” Johnson laughed.

Of course, the number 77 is famous in Pittsburgh Penguins lore for defenseman Paul Coffey, one of the greatest defensemen and offensive defensemen in NHL history. And so Johnson took 73 because…”it looked better than 37.”

Johnson was clearly more at ease and comfortable Sunday. Last season, he could be defensive or a little closed. It was certainly a different Johnson we encountered in the Penguins locker room Sunday.

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