Dakota Joshua Bio
Dakota Joshua (born May 15, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 128th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2014 NHL entry draft. He previously played for the St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks.
Early Life and Background
Dakota Joshua was born on May 15, 1996, in Dearborn, Michigan. Growing up, his mother played ice hockey and competed in the Michigan Senior Women’s Hockey League. His younger brother, Jagger, is also an ice hockey player. Growing up in Michigan, Joshua played junior ice hockey for the Honeybaked under-16 midget team and was invited to the USA Hockey select national team evaluation camp.
Path to Hockey
Following the 2011–12 season, Joshua was drafted by the Sioux Falls Stampede in the third round of the United States Hockey League (USHL) draft. After splitting the 2012–13 season between Honeybaked and the USHL, Joshua was drafted 156th overall by the Plymouth Whalers in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection. Despite being drafted in the OHL, he continued to play in the USHL for the 2013–14 season. Joshua was ranked 157th overall amongst North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. He was not invited to the NHL draft combine. Joshua was eventually selected in the fifth round, 128th overall, in the 2014 NHL entry draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was unaware he had been drafted until he received a phone call from Toronto management while in the car. After drafting Joshua, Maple Leafs’ amateur scouting director Dave Morrison spoke highly of him as a player, noting his athleticism and potential.
Dakota Joshua Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
On July 12, 2019, Joshua’s rights were traded to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for future considerations. Joshua made his NHL debut on March 1, 2021, in a 5–4 win over the Anaheim Ducks, where he scored a goal. After scoring in his debut, Joshua expressed that playing in the NHL was the biggest honor in the sport of hockey. He was reassigned to the taxi squad shortly after but was called up again shortly thereafter.
Breakthrough (2021–2022)
As a free agent from the Blues, Joshua signed a two-year, $1.65 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks on July 13, 2022. On February 13, 2024, in a 4–2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, he achieved a Gordie Howe hat trick, contributing with an assist on each of Conor Garland’s two goals, followed by a goal and a fight against MacKenzie Entwistle in the third period. On June 27, 2024, after setting career-highs in goals and assists with the Canucks, Joshua signed a four-year, $13 million contract extension to remain with the team.
Notable Works and Milestones
Dakota Joshua’s signature moment came when he made his NHL debut and scored a goal, marking a significant milestone in his career. He has also achieved notable recognition for his performance during the 2024 season, including a Gordie Howe hat trick.
Dakota Joshua Family
Information regarding Dakota Joshua’s family is limited. His younger brother, Jagger Joshua, is also involved in ice hockey.
Personal Life
Dakota Joshua’s personal life details are not extensively documented. He has faced health challenges, including a diagnosis of testicular cancer in the summer of 2024, which required surgery and caused him to miss the training camp for the 2024–25 season. He made his return to play on November 14, 2024, against the New York Islanders.
