Mark Johnson represented the U.S. at 12 major international tournaments, including the "Miracle on Ice" squad at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, N.Y. He also served as head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team for four years, earning a silver medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

For the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, Johnson posted a team-best 11points (5-6) during the gold-medal run. Additionally, he wore the USA sweater at eight IIHF Men's World Championships (1978-79, 1981-82, 1985-87, 1990) and three Canada Cups (1981, 1984, 1987).

Johnson spent 11 seasons (1980-90) in the NHL, starting his career in Pittsburgh before moving on to the Minnesota North Stars, Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils. In 669 career games, he tallied 203 goals and 305 assists. He was an NHL All-Star in 1983-84.

Beginning in 2006-07, Johnson was the head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team for four seasons, culminating with a silver-medal showing at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C. He also directed Team USA to the gold medal at the 2009 IIHF Women's World Championship and the silver medal at the 2007 IIHF Women's World Championship. Also in 2009, Johnson steered Team USA to the gold medal at the IIHF Women's Under-18 World Championship. Lastly, he served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Men's National Team in 2000 and 2002.

Johnson has won four NCAA women's national championships (2006-07, 2009, 2011) as head coach for the University of Wisconsin, his alma mater. He has been the Badgers' head coach since 2002. From 1996-2002, Johnson was an assistant coach for the Wisconsin men's ice hockey team.

Johnson was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004 and received the Lester Patrick Trophy in 2011.