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No cause of death was immediately reported.
A second-round draft pick by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1989,
Johnson scored 369 points (145 goals, 224 assists) in 785 career
NHL games from 1993-2006.
The Ontario-born center joined Nashville in the 1998 expansion
draft following stints with the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh
Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks.
He served as the Predators' captain from 2002 to 2006 and still
holds the franchise records for short-handed goals (11) and
short-handed points (17).
After seven seasons in Nashville, he signed with Detroit in 2006
but retired before the 2006-07 season when a preseason physical
revealed a hereditary heart abnormality.
Johnson reflected on his career during a visit to Nashville two
years ago.
"I was an average player -- I was never anything special -- but
the best years of my life were here with the Predators," he told
the Nashville Post. "To have a young family (at the time),
amazing city, these were without a doubt the best years of my
life.
"... In my heart, I'm a Predator and a big Predators fan."
Johnson is survived by his wife and two children.
His younger brother, Ryan Johnson, played 13 seasons in the NHL
(1997-2011) with five teams.
--Field Level Media
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