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). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 206 pounds, he plays a physical, left-shooting style and has become known for his combination of size, skating, and willingness to engage physically along the boards.
Originally selected 128th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2014 NHL entry draft, Joshua spent several years developing in junior and college hockey before reaching the NHL. He has since played for the St. Louis Blues and the Vancouver Canucks, building a reputation as a dependable two-way forward before being traded back to Toronto in July 2025.
Early Life and Background
Dakota Joshua was born on May 15, 1996, in Dearborn, Michigan. He grew up in a hockey household in the metropolitan Detroit area, where his mother played the sport and competed in the Michigan Senior Women’s Hockey League. That early family connection helped shape his lifelong commitment to the game and gave him regular exposure to competitive hockey from a young age.
Joshua has a younger brother, Jagger Joshua, who is also an ice hockey player. Growing up in Michigan, Dakota played junior ice hockey for the Honeybaked under-16 midget program and was invited to the USA Hockey select national team evaluation camp. His performance in those circles drew attention from scouts and set the stage for his progression through the North American development system.
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, he was drafted 156th overall by the Plymouth Whalers in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection. Despite being selected in the OHL, he continued his development in the USHL for the 2013–14 season.
Joshua was ranked 157th overall among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, but he was not invited to the NHL draft combine. He was eventually selected in the fifth round, 128th overall, in the 2014 NHL entry draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Joshua was unaware he had been drafted until he received a phone call from Toronto management while in the car. After the selection, Maple Leafs amateur scouting director Dave Morrison praised him as tall, athletic, and diligent, projecting him as a potential top-nine player.
Dakota Joshua Career
Junior and Collegiate Career (2012–2019)
Joshua spent two full seasons with the Sioux Falls Stampede, helping the club win the 2015 Clark Cup championship. His play in the USHL cemented his status as a legitimate NHL prospect and allowed him to transition into the NCAA ranks with confidence.
Joshua enrolled at Ohio State University and, in his freshman season, recorded 17 points in 29 games for the Buckeyes. He scored his first collegiate goal, which turned out to be the game-winner, during a shootout against the University of Michigan on January 15, 2016. The following season he posted 12 goals and 23 assists, earning Honorable Mention All-Big Ten accolades in March 2017 while also being named an Ohio State Scholar–Athlete and a member of the Academic All-Big Ten team as a sports industry major.
NHL Breakthrough with St. Louis Blues (2019–2022)
On July 12, 2019, Joshua’s rights were traded to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for future considerations. After continuing his development, he made his NHL debut on March 1, 2021, in a 5–4 win over the Anaheim Ducks and scored a goal in that first appearance. Reflecting on the milestone, Joshua said the experience was everything he expected, calling the NHL the biggest honor in the sport of hockey.
He was briefly reassigned to the taxi squad after his debut but was recalled on March 5. Joshua continued to serve as a depth forward for the Blues, working primarily in a checking role while contributing offensively when given the opportunity.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2022–2025)
As a free agent from the Blues, Joshua signed a two-year, $1.65 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks on July 13, 2022. He quickly became a fan favorite in Vancouver for his physicality, energy, and willingness to drop the gloves, traits that helped him carve out a regular spot in the lineup.
On February 13, 2024, in a 4–2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, he recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick, assisting on both of Conor Garland’s goals before scoring and fighting 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. In the summer of 2024, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, requiring surgery and causing him to miss the 2024–25 training camp before returning to play on November 14 in a 5–2 loss against the New York Islanders.
Toronto Maple Leafs Era (2025–Present)
On July 17, 2025, Joshua was traded by the Canucks to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 2028 fourth-round draft pick. The move brought him back to the organization that originally drafted him, completing a full-circle moment in his career.
His experience, size, and two-way game were seen as valuable additions to the Maple Leafs forward group. Joshua entered the new chapter aiming to provide depth scoring, physical play, and veteran presence as he continued his recovery and reestablished his rhythm in the NHL.
Driving Style and Strengths
Joshua’s game is built around his 6-foot-3 frame and his willingness to play a heavy, north-south style. He is effective along the boards, kills penalties with reliability, and has shown a willingness to engage physically, including dropping the gloves when his team needs a momentum shift. His blend of size, skating, and improving offensive touch has allowed him to grow into a top-nine forward role.
Notable Events and Milestones
Joshua’s NHL debut goal against the Anaheim Ducks on March 1, 2021, marked the start of his top-flight career. His Gordie Howe hat trick against the Chicago Blackhawks on February 13, 2024, stands as one of his signature individual performances, and his return to play on November 14, 2024, following his cancer diagnosis remains a defining personal milestone.
Dakota Joshua Career Wins
While individual regular-season win totals fluctuate across seasons, Dakota Joshua has accumulated a series of team and personal highlights across his hockey journey. His most prominent team accomplishment came with the 2015 Clark Cup championship during his time with the Sioux Falls Stampede.
Junior and Collegiate Highlights
Joshua’s two full seasons with the Stampede culminated in a Clark Cup title in 2015. In the NCAA, he was named to the Honorable Mention All-Big Ten team in March 2017 after a 12-goal, 23-assist season.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the Clark Cup, Joshua has recorded key wins at the NHL level, including a memorable debut victory over the Anaheim Ducks in 2021 and the Chicago Blackhawks game in which he posted a Gordie Howe hat trick in 2024.
Dakota Joshua Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Dakota Joshua grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, in a household shaped by hockey. His mother played the sport competitively in the Michigan Senior Women’s Hockey League, providing Dakota with early and constant exposure to the game. His younger brother, Jagger Joshua, has also pursued a career in ice hockey, continuing the family’s strong connection to the sport.
Personal Life
Outside of hockey, Joshua majored in sports industry at Ohio State University, reflecting his interest in the business side of athletics. In the summer of 2024, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent surgery before returning to play later that year, a journey he has handled with openness and resilience.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been one of transition for Dakota Joshua. After returning from cancer treatment in November 2024, he rejoined the Vancouver Canucks and resumed his two-way role before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 17, 2025, in exchange for a 2028 fourth-round draft pick.
Heading into the new season with the Maple Leafs, Joshua is expected to provide bottom-six scoring, penalty killing, and physicality. His familiarity with the organization, combined with his veteran experience, positions him as a stabilizing presence in the forward group.
As the season unfolds, Joshua’s ability to stay healthy, contribute offensively, and maintain his trademark physical edge will likely shape his role in Toronto. His comeback story, paired with a return to the team that drafted him, sets the tone for a meaningful 2025–26 campaign.
