For context, Pionk and Johnson were very good friends, with Johnson actually providing groomsman duties for Pionk's wedding. They were teammates for two years at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Pionk will be in attendance for Johnson's funeral on Sunday, and is a speaker at his Celebration of Life on Monday. Pionk said he's devasted, and can't get it out of his head, even during games.
Pionk has, understandably, started wearing a neck guard during games, like many others in the NHL since Johnson's death from taking an opponent's skate to the neck during a game. More players wearing neck protection will end up being Johnson's legacy in the wake of his death. It is, however, unfortunate that it took something like this happening for players to be concerned enough to wear it.