Josiah Slavin Bio
Josiah Slavin is an American professional ice hockey forward who plays for the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on December 31, 1998, in Erie, Colorado, he was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the seventh round, 193rd overall, of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. A left-shot left winger, Slavin has built his career through steady work in the AHL, with limited NHL time, and he continues to develop as a depth forward in the Hurricanes organization.
Early Life and Background
Josiah Slavin was born and raised in Erie, Colorado, a small community north of Denver. Growing up in a hockey household gave him early exposure to the sport, and he developed his game through local youth programs before moving on to junior and collegiate competition. His older brother, Jaccob Slavin, became a prominent NHL defenseman, and that family connection helped shape Josiah’s understanding of what a professional hockey career requires.
Slavin developed into a reliable two-way forward with strong skating and a responsible defensive game. Those traits were noticed by scouts as he progressed, and they ultimately helped him earn an opportunity to play college hockey at Colorado College in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. The path from a small Colorado town to a top NCAA conference gave him a strong foundation in both the offensive and defensive sides of the game.
Path to Professional Hockey
Slavin’s college career at Colorado College positioned him as a dependable forward with a mature approach for his age. His play in the NCHC caught the attention of NHL scouts, and in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks selected him in the seventh round, 193rd overall. Being a late-round pick did not slow his development, and he continued to refine his game at Colorado College over the following seasons.
After completing his college career, Slavin signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on March 16, 2021. He was assigned immediately to Chicago’s AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, where he began his professional career. That spring of 2021 marked the official start of his transition from the college game to the professional ranks, and the IceHogs provided the daily environment he needed to adjust to the pace and physicality of pro hockey.
Josiah Slavin Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
In his first professional season split between 2020–21 and 2021–22, Slavin spent the majority of his time with the Rockford IceHogs, learning the pro game and contributing in a depth role. The following fall, in November 2021, he was recalled by the Blackhawks and made his NHL debut on December 2, 2021, in a 4–3 overtime win over the Washington Capitals. In that game, he recorded his first NHL point, an assist on a goal by defenseman Seth Jones, giving him a memorable first night in the league.
Rockford IceHogs and Anaheim Organization (2022–2023)
During the 2022–23 season, the final year of his entry-level deal, Slavin registered 3 goals in 51 regular-season games with the Rockford IceHogs. On February 23, 2022, the Blackhawks traded him to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Hunter Drew. He finished that campaign with Anaheim’s AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, recording 4 goals and 7 points in 16 games and showing he could produce when given a larger role.
Toronto Marlies (2023–2024)
After the Ducks did not extend a qualifying offer, Slavin signed a one-year AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies on July 9, 2023. In 2023–24, he became a mainstay among the Marlies’ forwards, posting 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points in 70 regular-season games. He also appeared in three playoff games for Toronto, finishing without a point, and his consistency through a full AHL season reinforced his value as a reliable two-way winger.
Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Wolves Era (2024–Present)
As a free agent following the 2023–24 season, Slavin signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 7, 2024, giving him another shot at the NHL level. After going unclaimed on waivers, he was assigned to the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, for the 2024–25 season. Joining the Carolina organization also meant playing in the same system as his older brother, Jaccob Slavin, an arrangement that has been a notable storyline around his career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Slavin is recognized as a defensive-minded, two-way left winger whose strengths include responsible play away from the puck, strong skating, and effectiveness on the penalty kill. He is valued for his work ethic, his willingness to play a physical game along the boards, and his steady, low-mistake approach. Coaches have leaned on him as a reliable depth forward who can be trusted in tough matchup situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
His most memorable early milestone came on December 2, 2021, when he recorded his first NHL point, an assist, in his debut against the Washington Capitals. Being reunited in the Carolina Hurricanes system with his brother Jaccob Slavin is another personal milestone, as it marks the first time the two have been part of the same NHL organization. Reaching the NHL level as a seventh-round pick also stands out as a significant achievement in his career arc.
Josiah Slavin Career Wins
Josiah Slavin’s win totals reflect his role as a depth and two-way forward rather than a primary scorer, and his offensive contributions have come in spurts across multiple AHL stops. His most productive statistical season came in 2023–24 with the Toronto Marlies, where he set personal bests in goals, assists, and points.
AHL Highlights
Across his AHL career, Slavin has suited up for the Rockford IceHogs, San Diego Gulls, Toronto Marlies, and Chicago Wolves, contributing in a bottom-six capacity at each stop. His 2023–24 campaign with the Marlies produced 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points in 70 games, the most productive full season of his pro career. With the Chicago Wolves in 2024–25, he has continued to play a regular role as a checking-line forward within the Hurricanes’ developmental system.
Other Wins & Performances
Slavin’s NHL résumé is highlighted by his debut performance against Washington on December 2, 2021, where his assist helped the Blackhawks secure a 4–3 overtime win. He has not yet recorded an NHL goal, and his career path has trended primarily through consistent AHL production and short NHL stints.
Josiah Slavin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Josiah Slavin comes from a hockey family, and his older brother, Jaccob Slavin, is a well-known defenseman for the Carolina Hurricanes. The two brothers playing in the same organization is a notable storyline for the Slavin family, and Jaccob’s success in the NHL has helped guide Josiah as he continues to chase his own professional path.
Personal Life
Slavin is a devout Christian, and he frequently speaks about the role his faith plays in how he approaches the game. After every contest he plays, he is known to kneel at center ice and pray, a personal ritual that has become a recognizable part of his routine. Publicly available information about his broader personal life, including marital status and children, has not been widely reported.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2024–25 season, Josiah Slavin has been assigned to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL, the top developmental affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. The season has provided him with consistent playing time in a depth and checking-line role, and he has continued to build on the two-way identity that has defined his career. The two-year, two-way contract he signed in July 2024 runs through the 2025–26 season, giving him stability and a clear runway to push for NHL opportunities with Carolina.
As of 2025, the Hurricanes’ organizational depth chart features several experienced forwards in front of him, so his pathway back to the NHL will likely come through strong play and special teams contributions with the Wolves. Coaches in the Hurricanes system have praised his work ethic and penalty-killing reliability, traits that often earn trust from NHL staffs over the course of a season. Continued production and a strong finish in Chicago could put him in position for recalls later in the year.
Looking ahead through the remainder of 2025, the focus for Slavin will be on staying healthy, producing at a steady rate for the Wolves, and demonstrating that his defensive game is ready for full-time NHL duty. With his older brother already established in Carolina, the storyline of the Slavin brothers in the same organization adds extra motivation. If he can carry his AHL consistency into any NHL recall opportunities, the 2025 calendar year could mark a turning point in his path toward becoming a regular NHL contributor.