Josh Morrissey Bio
Joshua Morrissey (born March 28, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Jets in the first round, 13th overall, of the 2013 NHL entry draft and has spent his entire NHL career with the franchise. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 194 pounds, Morrissey shoots left and has emerged as one of the most consistent blueliners of his generation.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Morrissey was born on March 28, 1995, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and grew up in a region with deep hockey roots. As a youth, he played in the 2007 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Calgary Flames minor ice hockey program, an early sign of his talent. He continued to develop through the Calgary Royals Gold system, where he was recognized as the top bantam defenceman in southern Alberta.
His progression through competitive minor hockey led to his selection by the Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders in the first round, sixth overall, of the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft. Morrissey also competed for Team Alberta at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax, Nova Scotia, helping the squad earn a bronze medal and gaining valuable national-level experience.
Path to Hockey
Morrissey made his WHL debut in 2010 with the Prince Albert Raiders, though he split most of that season between five WHL games, the Calgary Royals midget AAA team, and Team Alberta. By the 2012–13 season, he had become a dominant junior defenceman, leading Prince Albert blueliners with 15 goals and 32 assists, a +14 plus-minus rating, and 91 penalty minutes while helping the Raiders post a winning record for the first time since 2003–04.
His strong play attracted the attention of NHL scouts, and the Winnipeg Jets selected him 13th overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to the 2013–14 season, Morrissey was named captain of the Raiders, reflecting both his on-ice performance and his leadership qualities. He responded with a 73-point campaign in 59 regular-season games, finishing as the WHL’s second-leading scorer, before being traded to the Kelowna Rockets in December 2014.
Josh Morrissey Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
Following his draft, Morrissey signed a three-year, two-way contract with the Winnipeg Jets on October 3, 2013, though he returned to junior hockey for additional development. He also received brief exposure to the professional ranks, playing eight regular-season games and 21 playoff games with the St. John’s IceCaps, the Jets’ American Hockey League affiliate at the time. After the Jets shifted their AHL affiliation, Morrissey was assigned to the Manitoba Moose before earning a late-season NHL call-up.
On March 5, 2016, Morrissey made his NHL debut in a home game against the Montreal Canadiens. His transition to the NHL set the stage for his emergence as a full-time Jet the following season.
NHL Breakthrough (2016–2019)
Morrissey scored his first career NHL goal on November 15, 2016, in a 4–0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. He completed his first full NHL season with 6 goals and 20 points across 82 games, demonstrating two-way reliability on the Jets’ back end. During his second full campaign, Morrissey posted 26 points in 81 games and helped Winnipeg qualify for the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, though he was suspended one game in the first round for cross-checking Eric Staal of the Minnesota Wild.
Throughout these developmental NHL seasons, Morrissey steadily increased his offensive involvement while maintaining a defensive conscience. His growing confidence with the puck and his ability to log heavy minutes laid the foundation for his eventual recognition as a core contributor.
Winnipeg Jets Era (2019–Present)
On September 12, 2019, Morrissey committed his long-term future to Winnipeg, signing an eight-year, $50 million contract extension with an average annual value of $6.25 million. Just before the start of the 2019–20 NHL season, on October 1, 2019, he was named an alternate captain of the Jets, underscoring his leadership role within the locker room.
Morrissey continued to ascend offensively, eventually surpassing Dustin Byfuglien to become the Jets’ all-time leader in scoring by a defenceman following a March 7 game against the Vancouver Canucks. His combination of offensive instinct and defensive responsibility has kept him at the center of Winnipeg’s plans on the blue line.
Playing Style and Strengths
Morrissey is widely regarded as a smooth, puck-moving defenceman with strong transitional play and a reliable first pass out of the defensive zone. He excels at activating into the offensive attack from the blue line, joining rushes, and quarterbacking the power play. His left-handed shot, hockey intelligence, and composure under pressure make him a steady presence in all situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond his franchise scoring record, Morrissey’s milestone moments include his first NHL goal against the Chicago Blackhawks, his role in the Jets’ 2018 playoff run, and his eight-year contract extension in 2019. He has also represented Canada in major international events, contributing to gold medals at the 2013 World U18 Championships and the 2015 World Junior Championships, where he was named to the World Junior All-Star First Team.
Josh Morrissey Career Wins
Joshua Morrissey has built his reputation on consistent performance rather than a single breakthrough victory, collecting major individual milestones and team achievements throughout junior, professional, and international competition. His trophy case includes WHL hardware with the Kelowna Rockets and international medals wearing the Canadian maple leaf.
WHL Highlights
Morrissey was traded to the Kelowna Rockets on December 10, 2014, and immediately helped them capture the WHL championship. The Rockets then advanced to the final of the 2015 Memorial Cup, where they fell to the Oshawa Generals. Earlier in his junior career, he served as captain of the Prince Albert Raiders and finished as the WHL’s second-leading scorer in 2013–14.
International Highlights
Morrissey played a key role in Canada’s gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships and the 2015 World Junior Championships. He made his senior debut at the 2017 IIHF World Championship, where Canada earned silver, and later joined the national team for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. He was also named to Canada’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey tournament.
Josh Morrissey Family
Personal Life
Joshua Morrissey grew up in Calgary, Alberta, where he developed through local minor hockey programs before advancing to elite junior and professional ranks. Details about his immediate family are not widely documented in publicly available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Joshua Morrissey remained a central figure for the Winnipeg Jets throughout the 2025 calendar year, balancing his NHL duties with international commitments. His steady two-way play and offensive contributions from the back end continued to anchor Winnipeg’s defensive corps as the team pursued postseason success.
Internationally, Morrissey rejoined Team Canada for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, the first best-on-best tournament with full NHL participation since 2016. He appeared in all three round-robin games for Canada but was unable to play in the final against the United States due to illness, watching as his country captured the title.
His international momentum carried into late 2025 when he was named to Canada’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey tournament on December 31, 2025. Morrissey’s combination of leadership, durability, and offensive skill positioned him as a key figure in Winnipeg’s pursuit of a deep playoff run while representing his country on hockey’s biggest stages.
