Jordan Harris Bio
Jordan Harris (born July 7, 2000) is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenseman for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected in the third round, 71st overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2018 NHL entry draft, Harris has steadily built a reputation as a smart, mobile blueliner. He previously played for the Montreal Canadiens and the Columbus Blue Jackets before joining Boston in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Jordan Harris was born on July 7, 2000, in Haverhill, Massachusetts, to Ginny and Peter Harris. His mother is a nurse, and his father is a physical therapist. Harris is both biracial and Jewish; his mother is white and non-Jewish, while his father is half-Black and Jewish, having been adopted from a Jewish orphanage. As of March 2024, Harris was the only Black Jewish player in the NHL.
Harris grew up in a hockey family. His father played ice hockey at UMass Lowell, and his older brother Elijah also played the sport. Jordan nearly followed the family pattern by becoming a goaltender, but he enjoyed skating and playing away from the net so much that he switched to defense. The family has spoken publicly about the challenges faced by Black hockey players, and Harris has expressed pride in his biracial and Jewish upbringing.
Harris attended Haverhill High School for one year before transferring to Kimball Union Academy, a boarding school in New Hampshire. Over three seasons at Kimball, he recorded 18 goals and 64 assists in 111 games and served as team captain in 2017–18. That year, he produced six goals and 29 assists in 37 games while also starring on the lacrosse team. He also appeared in five games for the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League during the same season.
Path to the NHL
The Montreal Canadiens selected Harris in the third round, 71st overall, of the 2018 NHL entry draft. At the time, he had already committed to play college hockey at Northeastern University, where he would join another Canadiens prospect, goaltender Cayden Primeau. Harris scored his first collegiate goal on October 13, 2018, opening the scoring in a 5–0 shutout of Sacred Heart.
Across four seasons at Northeastern, Harris developed into one of the top defensemen in college hockey. The Huskies won the 2019 Beanpot and the 2019 Hockey East tournament during his freshman year. He was named an alternate captain in his junior season, became a Hobey Baker Award finalist, and was recognized as a Hockey East Second Team All-Star. As a senior, he served as team captain, earned Hockey East First Team All-Star honors, and was named the conference’s Best Defensive Defenseman. He finished his collegiate career with 15 goals and 73 points in 130 games.
Harris also represented the United States at the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in the Czech Republic. He scored a goal against Germany on the second day of the tournament and finished the event with one goal and a plus–minus rating of +4 in five games. The U.S. was eliminated by Finland in the semifinals.
Jordan Harris Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Shortly after his senior season at Northeastern, Harris signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Montreal Canadiens. He made his NHL debut on April 2, 2022, registering a plus–minus rating of +1 and three blocked shots in a 5–4 shootout win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. In ten games to close out the Canadiens’ 2021–22 season, he scored his first NHL goal on April 29 in a 10–2 victory over the Florida Panthers.
Montreal Canadiens Era (2022–2024)
Harris spent two full seasons with the Montreal Canadiens organization, earning a regular role as a dependable, defense-first blueliner. He continued to log heavy minutes and contribute at both ends of the ice, refining his game against top NHL competition. His steady two-way play helped him establish himself as a reliable depth defenseman in the league.
Columbus Blue Jackets Era (2024–2025)
On August 19, 2024, Harris was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Patrik Laine and a second-round pick in 2026. In his lone season with Columbus, he served in a depth role, appearing in 33 regular-season games and recording one goal and four assists for five points. The Blue Jackets did not tender him a qualifying offer, allowing him to become a free agent.
Boston Bruins Era (2025–Present)
On July 1, 2025, Harris signed a one-year, $825,000 contract with the Boston Bruins for the 2025–26 season. The move gave him a fresh start on a contending team and an opportunity to compete for a more prominent role in Boston’s defensive group.
Driving Style and Strengths
Harris is recognized for his hockey sense, skating ability, and reliability in his own zone. He is comfortable logging 25 to 30 minutes per night when given the chance and has been praised for his smooth puck movement and poise under pressure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Harris’s first NHL goal, scored in a 10–2 win over the Florida Panthers, marked the arrival of a long-anticipated professional career. He also became a Hobey Baker Award finalist in college and was recognized as the top defensive defenseman in Hockey East during his senior year.
Jordan Harris Career Wins
Jordan Harris has accumulated a steady list of team and conference achievements across his college and professional career, including conference championships, tournament titles, and All-Star recognition.
Northeastern Highlights
With the Northeastern Huskies, Harris won two Beanpot titles (2019 and 2020) and the 2019 Hockey East Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament. He was also named to the Hockey East First All-Star Team and earned the Best Defensive Defenseman award in his senior season.
Other Achievements and Performances
Harris’s Hobey Baker Award finalist selection and Walter Brown Award semifinalist nod highlighted his status among the top collegiate players in the country. At the international level, he represented the United States at the 2020 World Junior Championships and scored a goal in the tournament.
Jordan Harris Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Harris comes from a close-knit hockey family. His father, Peter, played at UMass Lowell, and his older brother, Elijah, also pursued the sport, goaltending at Austin Preparatory School before playing at Endicott College. Both Harris and his brother have spoken about their identity as Black hockey players, and Harris has highlighted his pride in being biracial and Jewish.
Personal Life
Harris has spoken openly about the influence of his parents, Ginny and Peter, and the role his upbringing played in shaping his identity. He has continued to be an advocate for greater representation in hockey, appearing at screenings of the documentary Black Ice to share his story.
2025 Season Performance
Harris entered the 2025–26 season with the Boston Bruins after signing a one-year, $825,000 contract on July 1, 2025. The deal offered him a chance to revitalize his career on a contender following a limited role in Columbus. With the Bruins seeking depth and reliability on the back end, Harris had a clear opportunity to earn a steady spot in the lineup.
Throughout the early portion of the season, Harris was expected to compete for minutes as a dependable, defense-first blueliner. His mobility, hockey IQ, and experience logging heavy minutes in college made him a natural fit for Boston’s system. Strong early performances could position him for an expanded role as the season progressed.
Looking ahead, Harris’s blend of two-way play, character, and leadership experience could make him a valuable piece of Boston’s defensive rotation. If he maintains his form and stays healthy, he has a realistic path to becoming a more prominent contributor for the Bruins in 2025–26.