BLOOMINGTON, Minn — When Erik Johnson's name was announced as the St. Louis Blues' first-round pick in 2006, history was made.

Not only was he the first University of Minnesota player to be selected that high, but he was the first Minnesotan and just the fifth-ever American to be selected that high in the NHL draft.

The Bloomington native spent two seasons at the Academy of Holy Angels, helping the Stars reach the state tournament both years, before joining the U.S. National Development Team in 2004. He returned to Minnesota to play one season with the Gophers before making his NHL debut in 2007.

Nearly 1,100 games later, Johnson is officially hanging up his skates.

The 37-year-old defenseman said in a statement Wednesday that he was retiring from hockey "with a heart full of gratit

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