Joey Anderson Bio
Joseph Thomas Anderson (born June 19, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract with the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Anderson was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the third round of the 2016 NHL Draft. Over the course of his career, he has suited up for the Devils, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Blackhawks organization, building a reputation as a dependable, defense-first forward.
Early Life and Background
Joey Anderson was born on June 19, 1998, in Roseville, Minnesota. He grew up in a family with deep roots in competitive sports, and that environment played a major role in shaping his path toward hockey. His father, Gerry, played hockey for the College of St. Scholastica, and his grandfather also suited up for the Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs. His mother, Dana, was a professional racquetball player, adding another layer of athletic pedigree to the household.
Anderson attended Hill-Murray School, where he posted 50 points in a single season and earned recognition as a top young prospect. On April 3, 2014, he committed to join the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, a key step in his progression toward the professional ranks. He later graduated from Ann Arbor Pioneer High School while continuing his development within the U.S. national program.
Path to Hockey
Following his time in the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, Anderson was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the third round, 73rd overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. After the draft, he chose to continue his development at the collegiate level, enrolling with the Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). The decision gave him an opportunity to refine his game against top-tier amateur competition.
In his rookie season with the Bulldogs, Anderson played in the 2017 NCHC Frozen Faceoff championship game and scored the game-winning goal that helped Minnesota–Duluth capture its first NCHC title over the University of North Dakota. His performance earned him spots on the NCHC All-Rookie Team and the NCAA West Region All-Tournament Team. The following season, he helped the Bulldogs win the 2018 NCAA Tournament national championship, cementing his status as a proven winner at the amateur level.
Anderson also represented the United States in international junior competition. He competed for Team USA at the 2017 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, helping the squad capture a gold medal and becoming the first Bulldog to win gold at that event. In 2018, he returned as captain of Team USA and, playing alongside his younger brother Mikey, guided the team to a bronze medal.
Joey Anderson Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
On April 15, 2018, Anderson signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils. He opened the 2018–19 campaign with the Binghamton Devils of the AHL, appearing in eight games before earning his first NHL call-up. He made his NHL debut on October 27, 2018, in a 3–2 win over the Florida Panthers, and on November 15, 2018, he recorded his first career NHL goal in a 3–0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. He finished the year splitting time between Binghamton and New Jersey, posting 4 goals and 7 points in 34 NHL games.
Anderson began the following season in Binghamton and was recalled by New Jersey in February 2020 after producing 15 goals and 34 points in 44 AHL games. He made his 2019–20 NHL debut on February 4, 2020, in a 5–4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, and went on to appear in 18 games with 4 goals and 6 points before the NHL suspended play on March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Toronto Maple Leafs Era (2020–2023)
On October 10, 2020, Anderson was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Andreas Johnsson. Shortly after, on October 30, he signed a three-year contract with an annual average value of $750,000. During the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, he spent most of the year with the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, recording 7 goals and 11 points in 20 games. He was recalled and made his Maple Leafs debut on January 26, 2021, in a 4–3 victory over the Calgary Flames.
In 2021–22, Anderson led the Toronto Marlies in goals with 26 scored in 56 games, demonstrating his offensive touch at the AHL level. During the 2022–23 season, he appeared in 14 games with the Maple Leafs, registering 3 points, but was unable to lock down a full-time forward role and was subject to waivers on multiple occasions. As an alternate captain with the Marlies, he posted 27 points in 30 games before being dealt.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2023–Present)
On February 27, 2023, Anderson was traded by the Maple Leafs, along with Pavel Gogolev and future draft picks, to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Jake McCabe, Sam Lafferty, and conditional picks. He finished that season playing 24 games for Chicago, registering 4 goals and 6 points while skating on a line with Jujhar Khaira and Boris Katchouk, and also seeing time with the Rockford IceHogs.
In the offseason, Anderson signed a one-year, two-way contract with Chicago after impressing the front office with his forechecking ability. After going unclaimed on waivers, he was assigned to Rockford to begin the 2023–24 season. Following injuries to forwards Andreas Athanasiou and Taylor Hall, Anderson was recalled on November 25 and went on to play 55 games with the Blackhawks, scoring 5 goals and 17 points while playing strong defensive hockey. Although the Blackhawks initially did not extend a qualifying offer, Anderson signed a two-year contract with Chicago on July 1, 2024, the first day of free agency.
Driving Style and Strengths
Anderson has built his professional reputation on a relentless forechecking approach and responsible two-way play. Coaches have consistently praised his work ethic, defensive reliability, and ability to grind along the boards and create turnovers in the offensive zone, traits that have kept him in the NHL mix across multiple organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Anderson’s signature moments are his 2017 NCHC Frozen Faceoff championship-winning goal, his 2018 NCAA national championship with Minnesota–Duluth, his 2017 World Junior gold medal, and his first NHL goal against the Philadelphia Flyers in November 2018. Each milestone has reflected his reputation for delivering in important games.
Joey Anderson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the Anderson family. His father, Gerry, played for the College of St. Scholastica, and his grandfather also played for the Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs. His younger brother, Mikey Anderson, was drafted 103rd overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and later played alongside Joey for Team USA at the 2018 World Junior Championships. His sister, Sami, played hockey for the College of St. Scholastica, while his mother, Dana, carved out her own athletic career as a professional racquetball player.
Personal Life
Joey Anderson married Sami Schneider on July 9, 2022, in St. Paul, Minnesota. The couple has been a steady presence throughout his travels between New Jersey, Toronto, and Chicago, and Anderson has often spoken about the importance of family support in sustaining his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Anderson remains under contract with the Chicago Blackhawks after re-signing on July 1, 2024. He is expected to once again compete for a bottom-six forward role with the Blackhawks, with the Rockford IceHogs serving as his primary AHL affiliate. His two-way deal gives Chicago flexibility to deploy him at either level depending on roster needs.
Anderson’s pathway back to the NHL in 2023–24, where he produced 5 goals and 17 points in 55 games, provides a strong foundation for his 2025 outlook. His forechecking and penalty-killing reliability give the Blackhawks a dependable option when injuries arise or when the team needs to tighten its defensive structure.
With a full offseason to prepare and a stable contract in hand, Anderson’s 2025 storyline centers on cementing a full-time NHL spot in Chicago. If he can translate his AHL scoring touch into a consistent bottom-six role, he has a clear opportunity to extend his NHL career well beyond the current season.