While it had already been clear that former NHLer Greg Johnson had died by his own hand in early July of this year, an autopsy report obtained by The Detroit News sheds more light on Johnson's tragic death. According to the report, Johnson died of a self-inflicted gun shot wound to the head. It also says Johnson's body was void of any drugs or alcohol at the time of his death and no suicide note was left.
Johnson played 14 seasons in the NHL with Detroit, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Nashville. He also served as the 2nd captain in the franchise history of the Nashville Predators a few years after being selected in the expansion draft in 1998. Over 700 career NHL games, Johnson earned 350 points; 134 goals and 216 assists. His best season was in 1998–99 where he achieved 16 goals and 34 assists. His career ended in 2006 after he had signed a one-year contract to return to the Detroit Red Wings. During a routine preseason physical, an EKG test returned abnormal results. Johnson had further testing and eventually decided to retire before training camp. Among the biggest moments during his career are a silver medal representing Canada at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics, and a gold medal at the World Junior Hockey Championships in 1991.
On July 7th, 2019, Johnson's wife Kristin found him dead in the basement of their Detroit home. She told police that Johnson suffered "numerous concussions during his playing career,” but she witnessed no signs of depression.
