10 questions with Johnston

In July, St. Louis Blues General Manager Alexander Steen said that Ross Johnston possesses a “presence” both on and off the ice that the team hasn’t had in quite a while.

After playing the past three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, Johnston signed with the Blues during free agency, inking a three-year, $6 million contract ($2 million AAV). 

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound forward played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, American Hockey League and East Coast Hockey League before signing with the New York Islanders as an undrafted free agent in March 2015. It wasn’t until April 10, 2016 that Johnston made his NHL debut with the Islanders against the Philadelphia Flyers. 

Finishing the 2025-26 season with three goals, 14 points and 107 penalty minutes in 62 games played in Anaheim, Johnston will aim to be a tone-setter on the ice and bring a physical element to the Blues roster.

He sat down with stlouisblues.com to talk about reuniting with old teammates, his career path and what he can bring to a youthful locker room that wants to win.

Q&A

What do you think St. Louis Blues fans should know about you and your playing style?

“It’s straightforward. Straight lines. Create space for my teammates and be hard to play against if we can’t take all five.”

You’re often described as a “traditional” enforcer type of player in the league, is that what you would consider yourself? 

“It certainly is an element to it. Most people, you have to be able to play now and be a reliable presence and player on the ice so force is certainly a part of it. But, I’d like to be able to think that I could play regular shifts and help the team in other ways as well.”

What did your offseason look like aside from getting settled in St. Louis?

“I’ve spent my summers back in Canada in Prince Edward Island – it’s where I grew up. It’s where I like to finish things off at and all my family is there so I spent time back there with my nieces, nephews and my own children (two-year old and a five-month old), and kind of fill the summer that way.”

You’re reunited with some old Anaheim teammates in Mason McTavish and Cam Fowler this season. What’s it been like reintegrating with them in a new locker room?

“It’s pretty seamless. I played with McT last year so it kind of feels like he just took the summer off and came back to the same training camp all over again. So for him, it was kind of picking back up where we left off. Cam’s been away for a year and a half or so and it’s been nice to catch up with him and just get ready to play. Some familiar faces make the transition pretty easy.”

How would you describe your career path for fans who may not know? 

“Eventful is what I would say. I’ve played in every league and had highs and lows in each of them so I guess there’s a little bit of a bonus for me. Perseverance, pulling it to come through on the other side. I’ve been in the NHL for a little over eight years, so it’s all worth it and it makes this side of things a little more valuable when you’ve gone through the hard times.”

When you look back at where you started compared to where you are now, what do you see as the biggest difference in yourself as a player, person and teammate?

“All of the experiences you learn from the other leagues and the people you’ve met have quite a bit of perspective. You see players that don’t make a lot of money, you see players that make a lot of money. You see the lifestyles they live, you see how hard everyone works in every league trying to make the NHL. So being in the NHL now and knowing what those guys are going through underneath it, it gives you perspective and gives you some relatability to everyone in the room. The relatability to everyone in the room, what everyone’s going through and all career paths – it’s kind of a nice little thing to have.”

What drew you to St. Louis specifically, that made you willing to settle down and sign that three-year contract?

“The lifestyle here is family-oriented and your dollar travels so you can live kind of how you want to live with what you make. The people and the culture, the alumni that have stuck around here. Obviously it’s a great place to live and great place to settle around after. So that obviously means that there’s great people around and great culture within the city. So all those things played in the decision to come here.”

Is there a specific moment in your career that sticks out to you when you think about how far you’ve come and all your experience?

“I think every time you play your first NHL game is special. My second game is when my parents were able to make it. So those are moments that only happen once, and those certainly make it all worth it when you’ve gone through other stuff prior to the first game. The years since then, I think every time you’re able to play a game in the NHL especially, sometimes you certainly take it for granted. But when you’re able to step away and see what you’ve accomplished, you’re going to be proud of what you’ve done in the past. And I think going forward that same drive and helping the Blues win is what drives me now.

Any hobbies or hidden talents you think fans would be interested to know?

“I wouldn’t say there’s too many hidden talents. I’m from a small town so I keep in touch on the farm stuff and that’s kind of what I know. That’s what I grew up around, but no specialized talents. I just enjoy the simple ways of life.”

What would be your one piece of advice to younger fans who are playing hockey now or are wanting to play hockey in the future?

“I’d say just enjoy the game and I think now kids are very rushed and pushed sometimes by their parents to play every game and do summer camps and extra ice time, and I think a little bit of it gets lost. It’s just a game and you can enjoy it. The best part of hockey is you can play in September, you can put the skates away and in March, you can play other sports. So I think enjoying hockey and enjoying other sports and enjoy being a kid in the same sense is kind of where it’s all at.”