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. Standing 183 centimetres tall and weighing 88 kilograms, Morrissey has developed into one of the league’s most reliable two-way defencemen. He has served as an alternate captain of the Jets since October 2019, when he also signed a long-term extension with the club.
After progressing through the Western Hockey League (WHL) as a high draft pick and standout junior, Morrissey transitioned to the NHL on a full-time basis beginning in 2016. His combination of skating, hockey sense, and leadership has made him a fixture on the Jets’ blue line and a central figure in the franchise’s competitive efforts in the Western Conference.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Morrissey was born on March 28, 1995, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Growing up in one of Canada’s most hockey-passionate cities, he took to the ice at a young age and quickly developed within the local minor hockey system. As a youth, Morrissey played in the 2007 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Calgary Flames minor ice hockey team, an early marker of his talent on a national stage.
Morrissey continued to develop with the Calgary Royals Gold program, where he was recognized as the top bantam defenceman in southern Alberta. He also competed for Team Alberta during the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he helped the squad capture a bronze medal. These formative experiences set the foundation for his progression to major junior hockey.
Path to Hockey
Morrissey’s path to professional hockey accelerated when the Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders selected him in the first round, sixth overall, of the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft. He made his WHL debut in 2010, skating in five games with Prince Albert while spending the majority of the season with the Calgary Royals midget AAA team. The following year, his international profile grew as he represented Canada at the 2011 Canada Winter Games.
In the 2012–13 season, Morrissey led Prince Albert defencemen in scoring with 15 goals and 32 assists, posting a plus-minus rating of plus-14 alongside 91 penalty minutes. His strong play helped the Raiders achieve a winning record for the first time since 2003–04. Prior to the 2013–14 season, Morrissey was named captain of the Raiders, a sign of his standing as a leader among his peers.
Josh Morrissey Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
Morrissey was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round, 13th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. On October 3, 2013, the Jets signed him to a three-year, two-way contract, although he returned to Prince Albert for the 2013–14 campaign. That season, he finished as the second-leading scorer in the WHL with 28 goals and 45 assists for 73 points in 59 regular season games, paired with a plus-six rating and 59 penalty minutes. The Raiders were fourth in the East Division before being swept by the eventual 2014 Memorial Cup champions, the Edmonton Oil Kings.
On December 10, 2014, Morrissey was traded to the Kelowna Rockets. He helped lead the Rockets to the WHL championship and to the final of the 2015 Memorial Cup, which they ultimately lost to the Oshawa Generals. He was also called up to the Jets’ American Hockey League affiliate, the St. John’s IceCaps, during the 2013–14 season, playing eight regular-season games and 20 Calder Cup playoff games.
NHL Breakthrough (2015–2019)
Morrissey made his NHL debut on March 5, 2016, in a home game against the Montreal Canadiens after a brief late-season call-up. He scored his first career NHL goal on November 15, 2016, in a 4–0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Morrissey finished his first full NHL season with six goals and 20 points across 82 games.
During his second full season with the Jets, he recorded 26 points in 81 games and helped Winnipeg qualify for the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. In the first round of that postseason, Morrissey was suspended one game for cross-checking Eric Staal of the Minnesota Wild. The playoff appearance marked the franchise’s return to the postseason and established Morrissey as a steady contributor on the blue line.
Winnipeg Jets Era (2019–Present)
On September 12, 2019, Morrissey signed an eight-year, 50 million dollar extension with the Jets, carrying an annual average value of 6.25 million dollars. Later, on October 1, 2019, just prior to the start of the 2019–20 NHL season, he was named an alternate captain of the Jets, recognising his growing leadership role within the locker room.
Morrissey has remained a fixture on the Jets’ defence corps since that extension, anchoring top pairings and contributing in all situations. His long-term contract reflects his importance to the franchise and provides the team with a stable, experienced presence on the back end.
Driving Style and Strengths
Morrissey’s game is built on skating, sound defensive positioning, and reliable puck movement. He is comfortable logging heavy minutes against opposing top lines while contributing offensively through point production and active involvement in the transition game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones include his NHL debut on March 5, 2016, his first NHL goal against the Chicago Blackhawks on November 15, 2016, and his appointment as alternate captain in October 2019. He has also represented Canada at multiple international tournaments, including the IIHF World U18 Championships, the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, and the IIHF World Junior Championships, winning gold at the 2013 World U18s and the 2015 World Juniors.
Josh Morrissey Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Morrissey’s family background are not widely documented in publicly available sources. He grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and developed his hockey skills within the local minor hockey system.
Personal Life
Public information about Morrissey’s personal life beyond his professional hockey career is limited. He continues to reside in the hockey community as an active NHL player with the Winnipeg Jets.
2025 Season Performance
Morrissey remains a central figure on the Winnipeg Jets’ blue line heading into the 2025 season. As an alternate captain, he is expected to continue logging top-pair minutes and contributing both defensively and offensively. His long-term contract and established leadership role position him as a key voice in the Jets’ pursuit of playoff success.
The 2025 campaign presents an opportunity for Morrissey to build on his consistent track record and push the Jets deeper into the postseason. His ability to anchor defensive pairings and drive transition play will remain vital to the team’s competitiveness in a challenging Western Conference.