John was born on February 14, 1962, and grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts, Forslund decided at an early age that he wanted to be a hockey play-by-play announcer.

His friends would come over and watch the Bruins play at night, and little Johnny would sit on the floor and call the game.”[1] Forslund attended Cathedral High School before enrolling at Springfield College.

On June 27, 2002, Ken Lehner announced that Forslund signed a two-year contract extension with the Hurricanes to remain as their television play-by-play broadcaster.

[6][7] Forslund's contract with the Hurricanes expired at the end of the 2020 regular season and was unresolved at the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs qualifying round.

On January 26, 2021, Forslund announced he had accepted the job as television play-by-play broadcaster on Root Sports Northwest for the Seattle Kraken ahead of their inaugural NHL season in fall 2021.