Josh Manson Bio
Joshua David Manson is a Canadian–American professional ice hockey player who currently plays as a defenceman for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on October 7, 1991, in Hinsdale, Illinois, Manson was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the sixth round, 160th overall, of the 2011 NHL draft. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 215 pounds, he shoots right and has earned a reputation for steady, physical defensive work. He won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022.
Early Life and Background
Joshua David Manson was born in Hinsdale, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, while his father was playing for the Chicago Blackhawks. Just five days before his birth, his father was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, the first of many moves that would shape the family’s hockey journey. Growing up in a household rooted in professional hockey, Manson was surrounded by the sport from a very young age.
After his father’s playing career ended, the family moved to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, where Manson spent much of his childhood. Although he was not initially drawn to ice hockey and briefly considered trying out for other sports, he eventually committed to the game. During the 2008–09 season, Manson committed to play for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), launching his formal competitive career.
Path to Hockey
Manson’s path to the professional ranks began in the BCHL with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. After originally playing as a forward, he was moved to defence during his second season when injuries thinned the blueline, and he chose to embrace the new role. In 57 games with the Silverbacks, he recorded 12 goals and 35 assists, totals that put him on the radar of NHL scouts heading into the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Before the draft, Manson had accepted a scholarship to play NCAA Division I hockey at Quinnipiac University for the 2012–13 season. After being selected 160th overall by the Anaheim Ducks, he opted to transfer and instead joined the Northeastern University Huskies program. He played three seasons of NCAA Division I hockey at Northeastern, where he was named team captain, earned Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman honors, and was placed on the 2013–14 Hockey East Second All-Star Team.
Josh Manson Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
On March 25, 2014, Manson signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks, forgoing his final year of college eligibility. He began the year with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL) before injuries at the NHL level brought him up. Manson made his NHL debut on October 31, 2014, against the Dallas Stars, logging 12:30 of ice time and one hit while playing on the penalty kill. He split 2014–15 between Anaheim and Norfolk, appearing in 28 NHL games and 36 AHL games.
By the 2015–16 season, Manson had earned a regular roster spot with the Ducks. He played in Game 1 of the First Round against the Nashville Predators but was knocked out of the series by a hit from Filip Forsberg. The following season, on November 6, 2016, he scored his first NHL goal at 8:46 of the third period in a 4–2 home win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. In the 2017 playoffs, he set a franchise playoff hit record with 11 hits in Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers.
Anaheim Tenure and Extension (2017–2022)
On October 4, 2017, Manson signed a four-year contract extension with the Ducks running through the 2021–22 season. In the first year of that deal, he set career highs in goals, assists, and points while forming a reliable top-pair partnership with Hampus Lindholm. The duo combined for a 53.53 percent Corsi-For mark at even strength, reflecting their effectiveness in controlling play.
Injuries complicated the later years of his Ducks tenure. During the 2019–20 season, he suffered an MCL sprain against the Dallas Stars that sidelined him for an extended stretch, and in January 2021, an oblique injury against the Minnesota Wild cost him nearly six weeks. Limited to 23 regular-season games in the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, he posted 7 points as Anaheim missed the postseason for the third straight year. In 2021–22, serving as a veteran alternate captain on a rebuilding blueline, he recorded 4 goals and 9 points through 45 games before being dealt.
Colorado Avalanche Era (2022–Present)
On March 14, 2022, with Anaheim trending out of contention, Manson was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for prospect Drew Helleson and a 2023 second-round draft pick. He exited Anaheim ranked fifth all-time among franchise defencemen with 453 games played. He debuted for Colorado on March 15, 2022, against the Los Angeles Kings, registering a game-high 10 hits in a 3–0 win. On May 17, 2022, he scored his first career playoff goal, an overtime winner against the St. Louis Blues, helping fuel a Stanley Cup run that ended with Colorado lifting the championship in 2022.
Defensive Style and Strengths
Manson is recognized for a physical, stay-at-home defensive style built on strong positioning, aggressive shot blocking, and a willingness to engage physically along the boards and in front of the net. His 6-foot-3 frame and right-handed shot allow him to play either side of a defensive pairing, and he has historically logged heavy penalty-killing minutes. His strength lies in clearing the crease, breaking up cycle plays, and delivering game-changing hits, as he showed in his Avalanche debut and throughout the 2017 playoffs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Manson’s career are his Stanley Cup championship with the Avalanche in 2022, his overtime playoff winner against the St. Louis Blues on May 17, 2022, and his franchise playoff hit record of 11 in a single game during the 2017 postseason. On January 8, 2026, he recorded his first career two-goal NHL game in an 8–2 win over the Ottawa Senators, adding two assists and a fight to complete a Gordie Howe hat trick while his father Dave watched from the stands.
Josh Manson Career Wins
Josh Manson’s trophy case is anchored by the Stanley Cup, which he won as a member of the Colorado Avalanche in 2022 after being acquired midseason. He also earned individual recognition during his collegiate years at Northeastern University, where he was named Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman and was selected to the 2013–14 Hockey East Second All-Star Team.
NHL Highlights
Manson’s NHL career includes 453 games with the Anaheim Ducks before his trade to the Avalanche, and he reached the Stanley Cup Final with Colorado in 2022. His first NHL goal came on November 6, 2016, against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and his first playoff goal was the overtime winner versus the St. Louis Blues on May 17, 2022. In the 2017 playoffs, he set a Ducks franchise record for hits in a single postseason game with 11 against the Edmonton Oilers.
Other Performances
During his time with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL, Manson was a productive two-way player, finishing with 12 goals and 35 assists in 57 games. He then delivered a strong three-year NCAA Division I run at Northeastern University, highlighted by his captaincy and Hockey East defensive honors.
Josh Manson Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Manson comes from a deep athletic family, and his hockey roots run directly through his father, Dave Manson, a longtime NHL defenceman who played for organizations including the Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers, and others. Manson is the oldest of four siblings. His sister Meagan played soccer at the University of Saskatchewan, and his brother Ben played for the La Ronge Ice Wolves of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. Manson is also a cousin of Dylan Yeo, a defenceman who has played in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) in Germany.
Personal Life
Manson is married to his wife, Julie, and together they have two daughters. He has spoken publicly about his Christian faith, which he has described as an important part of his life and career. The family has been based in Colorado since his midseason trade to the Avalanche in 2022.
2025 Season Performance
Manson continued his role as a steady, physical presence on the Avalanche blueline during the 2025 season, logging regular minutes in a top-four defensive role and contributing on the penalty kill. His experience and right-handed shot remained valuable assets for a Colorado team once again built around structure, speed, and defensive responsibility. He stayed healthy through the bulk of the campaign, allowing him to provide leadership on a defense corps chasing another deep playoff run.
As the season progressed, Manson delivered several timely performances, including the milestone two-goal game against the Ottawa Senators on January 8, 2026, that fell within the 2025 calendar of play. That game, featuring a Gordie Howe hat trick, underscored the offensive upside he can provide when paired with skilled linemates. He continued to post strong shot-blocking and hit totals, reinforcing his identity as a defense-first contributor.
Heading into the latter portion of the schedule, Manson remained a key part of Colorado’s leadership group alongside captain Gabriel Landeskog and other veterans. With the Avalanche firmly in the Western Conference playoff picture, his combination of size, experience, and steadiness positioned him as a central figure in their pursuit of a second Stanley Cup since 2022.
