Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan Johansen said he was excited to play in his first game at Ball Arena on Monday, Sept. 25. It didn't take long for forward Ryan Johansen to score for the first time in burgundy and blue. In pre-season game number two, he tallied the first goal of the 3-2 win against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 31-year-old veteran was signed by the Avalanche in the off-season from Central Division rivals — Nashville Predators. Half of Johansen's contract was retained by the Predators for the remainder of the two years left on his contract. Monday was Johansen's first step on Ball Arena ice as a home team member. He had played there in tough battles on the other side with the Predators and Columbus Blue Jackets during his career, but he was excited to be on his new home ice. "It felt great. It was just fun to get back out there, I was excited all day to get back out on the ice and play in a game again so yesterday was a lot of fun," Johansen said after Tuesday's practice. It was Johansen's first game back on the ice since he was injured midway through the 2022-23 season and required surgery. He said he had some "jitters" but was more excited than nervous to play. As it's important to develop chemistry with new teammates, Johansen said constant communication is key. "Just out there, little things here and there, what they saw, what I saw, if we both saw it, if we both missed it — in every little play," Johansen said. "So things like that, just as time goes along keep building up chemistry. That's why usually chemistry doesn't happen right away. So that's something we're nonstop working at."
