Pierre-Olivier Joseph Bio
Pierre-Olivier Joseph is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected 23rd overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, he has built his career as a mobile, two-way blue liner through the Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues, and now Vancouver organizations. Standing 6 ft 2 in and weighing about 185 lb, the left-shooting defenceman has steadily developed into a reliable depth contributor at the NHL level.
Born in Laval, Quebec, Joseph comes from a family with deep ties to competitive sport, including a brother who also plays in the NHL. After junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), he progressed through the American Hockey League (AHL) before reaching the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2021. His journey from a teenage draft pick to an NHL regular reflects years of dedicated physical development and on-ice refinement.
Early Life and Background
Pierre-Olivier Joseph was born on July 1, 1999, in Laval, Quebec, Canada. He was raised by his father, Frantzi Joseph, and his mother, France Taillon. His father played and coached hockey for many years, while his mother was a competitive athlete in her youth, creating a household environment where sport was a central focus from an early age.
Joseph is of Haitian descent through his father, and his mother is white. Growing up, he faced racial slurs on the ice and was told to go back to his own country, challenges that shaped his resilience and character. His older brother, Mathieu Joseph, also pursued a hockey career and currently plays for the Los Angeles Kings; the two have been teammates during their time in St. Louis.
The family’s deep connection to hockey provided Pierre-Olivier with constant exposure to the game. With a father who both played and coached, he developed an early understanding of the sport’s demands, which laid the foundation for his progression through youth and junior hockey ranks in Quebec.
Path to Professional Hockey
Joseph entered the QMJHL when he was drafted 78th overall by the Charlottetown Islanders in the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft. After attending their training camp, he was re-assigned to Collège Antoine-Girouard Gaulois of the Ligue de Hockey Midget AAA du Québec, but he was recalled to the Islanders full time by early November. He finished his rookie season with eight points in 48 games and earned a ‘B’ ranking from the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s October ‘Players to Watch’ list before the 2016–17 season.
Returning to the Islanders as an assistant captain for his sophomore year, Joseph set new career highs in goals, assists, and points. He opened the season with three goals and seven assists and finished with 39 points in 33 games. He was named the Islanders’ finalist for the Marcel Robert Trophy and was a finalist for the Michael Bossy Trophy, then helped the Islanders qualify for the 2017 QMJHL playoffs, where he posted six points in 13 games before elimination.
His major junior performance led to his selection 23rd overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, after which he signed a three-year entry-level contract. Following the draft, he returned to the QMJHL, where he was traded to the Drummondville Voltigeurs in December. At the time of the trade, he had 25 points in 27 games and was named captain of Team QMJHL for the 2018 CIBC Canada-Russia Series.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
After his draft year, Joseph dedicated the 2017–18 off-season to bulking up his frame. He lived with the team’s nutritionist and added weight throughout the year, reporting to the Coyotes’ 2018 development camp at 168 pounds after starting under 160 pounds. His continued physical development remained a priority as he prepared for his transition to professional hockey.
On June 29, 2019, the Coyotes traded Joseph, along with Alex Galchenyuk, to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Phil Kessel, Dane Birks, and a fourth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He continued his off-season training, gaining 10 pounds before joining the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL, although a bout of mononucleosis during his rookie season cost him more than a month and erased much of his weight gain.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2019–2024)
Joseph spent the 2019–20 season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, earning expanded responsibilities as Penguins teammates were called up to the NHL. Over his final 32 games of that season, he recorded 14 points with a plus-8 rating, and before the COVID-19 pause he was playing on the Penguins’ top defensive pairing with Jon Lizotte, averaging more than 20 minutes a game.
Joseph made his NHL debut on January 22, 2021, against the New York Rangers, stepping into the lineup due to injuries on the Penguins’ blue line. Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan praised him as a stronger, faster two-way defenceman with good offensive instincts and the ability to join the rush. In his first seven NHL games, he posted five points, including his first career NHL goal against Semyon Varlamov of the New York Islanders.
Following five seasons within the Penguins organization, Joseph was not tendered a qualifying offer and became a free agent. His tenure in Pittsburgh included time at both the NHL and AHL levels, where he developed into a dependable depth defenceman known for his mobility and reach.
St. Louis Blues and Return to Pittsburgh (2024)
On July 2, 2024, Joseph signed a one-year, $950,000 contract with the St. Louis Blues, joining his brother Mathieu, who had also recently been acquired by St. Louis. The reunion allowed the Joseph brothers to play on the same NHL roster for the first time in their careers.
However, his time in St. Louis was short, as he was traded back to Pittsburgh on December 18, 2024, for future considerations, returning to the organization where he had begun his professional career.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2025–Present)
On July 2, 2025, Joseph signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Vancouver Canucks as a free agent for the second consecutive off-season. The move offered him a fresh opportunity to establish himself as a regular NHL contributor on the West Coast.
Throughout his career, Joseph has been recognized for his mobility, reach, and two-way game. Coaches have praised his ability to join the rush, make outlet passes, and read the play effectively, while also crediting his off-ice commitment to strength and conditioning.
Driving Style and Strengths
Joseph is recognized as a mobile, two-way defenceman whose strongest attributes include his reach, skating, and offensive instincts. He can join the rush, deliver outlet passes, and effectively read the play in his own zone, while his commitment to physical development has steadily added strength to his frame.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Joseph’s career highlights are his 23rd overall selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, his NHL debut on January 22, 2021, against the New York Rangers, and his first NHL goal against Semyon Varlamov of the New York Islanders. He also represented Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, winning a gold medal.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph Career Wins
At the NHL level, Pierre-Olivier Joseph has not yet recorded a verified win statistic that can be confirmed across league play. His professional résumé is best measured in milestones such as draft position, NHL debut, first goal, and international gold medal rather than win totals.
QMJHL Highlights
Joseph enjoyed a strong major junior career, highlighted by 39 points in 33 games during his sophomore season with the Charlottetown Islanders. He was a finalist for both the Marcel Robert Trophy and the Michael Bossy Trophy and was named captain of Team QMJHL at the 2018 CIBC Canada-Russia Series.
Other Wins and Performances
Joseph captured a gold medal with Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, recording one goal in ten games during the tournament. He also contributed strong two-way play during his time with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL, including a plus-8 rating across his final 32 games of the 2019–20 season.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Joseph was raised by his father, Frantzi Joseph, who played and coached hockey for many years, and his mother, France Taillon, who was a competitive athlete in her youth. His father is of Haitian descent and his mother is white, and the family’s strong sporting background helped shape Pierre-Olivier’s path in hockey. His older brother, Mathieu Joseph, also plays in the NHL for the Los Angeles Kings, and the two previously played together in St. Louis.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Laval, Quebec, Pierre-Olivier Joseph grew up in a bilingual, bicultural household with strong athletic roots. He has spoken publicly about facing racial slurs during his youth hockey career, experiences that have informed his perspective on the game. He continues to maintain an active presence on social media, including his verified Twitter and Instagram accounts.
2025 Season Performance
Joseph entered the 2025 season as a member of the Vancouver Canucks after signing a one-year, $775,000 free-agent contract on July 2, 2025. The deal gave him a clear opportunity to compete for a regular role on the Canucks’ blue line following consecutive seasons of limited NHL playing time.
Throughout the early portion of the 2025 campaign, Joseph has provided depth on the Canucks’ defence while contributing his trademark mobility and two-way play. His familiarity with both offensive and defensive zone responsibilities, developed through his time in Pittsburgh and St. Louis, has allowed him to slot into varying matchups as needed.
Looking ahead, Joseph’s primary objective is to solidify his standing as a reliable everyday NHL defenceman. With his combination of speed, reach, and refined defensive instincts, he remains focused on maximizing his opportunity in Vancouver while continuing his physical development at the professional level.