Pierre-Olivier Joseph Bio
Pierre-Olivier Joseph, commonly known as P.O. Joseph, is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on July 1, 1999, in Laval, Quebec, Joseph has developed into a mobile, two-way blueliner after rising through the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and the American Hockey League (AHL). Selected 23rd overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 NHL entry draft, he has since built a professional career across multiple NHL organizations and earned international recognition with Canada.
Standing 188 cm tall and listed at 84 kg, Joseph combines length and skating ability with steady defensive play. After several seasons developing within the Pittsburgh Penguins system and a brief stop with the St. Louis Blues, he joined the Vancouver Canucks in July 2025.
Early Life and Background
Pierre-Olivier Joseph was born on July 1, 1999, in Laval, Quebec, Canada. He is the son of Frantzi Joseph and France Taillon. His father played and coached hockey for many years, while his mother was a competitive athlete in her youth. The family environment gave Joseph an early understanding of competitive sport and the discipline required to pursue it at a high level.
His father is of Haitian descent and his mother is white, and Joseph has spoken about facing racial slurs during his youth hockey years, including being told to go back to his own country. These experiences shaped his resilience and provided motivation as he advanced through competitive minor hockey in Quebec. His older brother, Mathieu Joseph, also pursued a professional hockey career and currently plays for the St. Louis Blues.
Path to Professional Hockey
Joseph was selected 78th overall in the 2015 QMJHL entry draft by the Charlottetown Islanders. After attending their training camp, he was reassigned to Collège Antoine-Girouard Gaulois of the Ligue de Hockey Midget AAA du Québec but was recalled to the Islanders full time by early November. He finished his rookie QMJHL season with eight points in 48 games and received a B ranking from the NHL Central Scouting Bureau prior to the 2016–17 season.
Returning to the Islanders as an assistant captain for his sophomore campaign, Joseph set new career highs in goals, assists, and points, finishing with 39 points in 33 games. He was named the Islanders finalist for the Marcel Robert Trophy and was also a finalist for the Michael Bossy Trophy. He then helped Charlottetown qualify for the 2017 QMJHL playoffs, recording six points in 13 games before the team was eliminated. His strong play led to his selection 23rd overall by the Arizona Coyotes at the 2017 NHL entry draft, after which he signed a three-year entry-level contract.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
After being drafted by the Coyotes, Joseph spent the 2017–18 season focused on adding weight and muscle to his 160-plus-pound frame, living with the team’s nutritionist and weighing in at 168 pounds at the 2018 development camp. He returned to the QMJHL that season and was traded to the Drummondville Voltigeurs in December. At the time of the trade, he had recorded 25 points in 27 games and was named captain of Team QMJHL at the 2018 CIBC Canada-Russia Series.
On June 29, 2019, Joseph was traded by the Coyotes, 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.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2019–2024)
Joseph began his professional career with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL, gaining 10 pounds in the off-season to enter camp at 175 pounds after working with his brother and trainer in Tampa Bay. Six games into his rookie season, he was sidelined by mononucleosis and missed more than a month. Upon returning, he recorded two points in 11 games despite losing weight during his recovery.
As the 2019–20 season progressed, Joseph was given added responsibility as teammates were called up to the NHL. In his final 32 games, he produced 14 points and a plus-8 rating, and prior to the COVID-19 pause he was playing on the Penguins top defensive pairing with Jon Lizotte while averaging more than 20 minutes a game.
Joseph made his NHL debut on January 22, 2021, against the New York Rangers. Within his first seven games he recorded five points, including his first career NHL goal against Semyon Varlamov of the New York Islanders. Following five seasons within the Penguins organization, he was not tendered a qualifying offer and became a free agent in the summer of 2024.
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 been newly acquired by the club. His time in St. Louis was short, however, as he was traded back to Pittsburgh on December 18, 2024, for future considerations.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2025–Present)
As a free agent for a second consecutive off-season, Joseph signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Vancouver Canucks on July 2, 2025. The deal provided him an opportunity to establish himself as a steady contributor on the Vancouver blue line.
Driving Style and Strengths
Joseph is recognized as a mobile, two-way defenceman with good offensive instincts and the ability to join the rush. He uses his reach and skating to disrupt opponents, makes effective outlet passes, and sees the ice well in transition. His development has focused on building strength and consistency in his own zone while contributing offensively when opportunities arise.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights of Joseph’s career include his 23rd overall selection in the 2017 NHL draft, his NHL debut against the New York Rangers in January 2021, and his first NHL goal against Semyon Varlamov. On May 5, 2023, he was named to Canada’s men’s national ice hockey team at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded one goal in ten games and won a gold medal.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph Career Wins
Joseph’s most notable team success to date is the gold medal he won with Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Championship. At the club level, he has helped his sides qualify for post-season play, including the 2017 QMJHL playoffs with the Charlottetown Islanders.
International Highlights
Representing Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, Joseph appeared in ten games, scored one goal, and helped his country capture the gold medal.
Other Wins & Performances
Within the QMJHL, Joseph posted career highs across goals, assists, and points during his sophomore season with the Charlottetown Islanders and was recognized as a finalist for both the Marcel Robert Trophy and the Michael Bossy Trophy.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the Joseph family. His father, Frantzi Joseph, played and coached hockey for many years, providing Pierre-Olivier with a strong foundation in the game. His older brother, Mathieu Joseph, is also a professional hockey player currently with the St. Louis Blues, and the two have trained together during off-seasons, including work in Tampa Bay.
Personal Life
Pierre-Olivier Joseph comes from a bilingual and multicultural household, with a father of Haitian descent and a French-Canadian mother. He has spoken publicly about the racial slurs he endured while playing youth hockey and how those experiences motivated him. He is active on social media under the handle @pojoseph15 on X and @pojoseph on Instagram.
2025 Season Performance
Joseph entered the 2025 NHL season with the Vancouver Canucks after signing a one-year, $775,000 contract on July 2, 2025. The agreement marked his second consecutive off-season as a free agent and gave him a clear opportunity to earn a regular role on the Vancouver blue line.
Coming off a 2023 IIHF World Championship gold medal with Canada and several seasons of development within the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, Joseph arrived in Vancouver with a reputation as a mobile, two-way defenceman. His combination of reach, skating, and offensive instincts positions him as a depth option capable of playing in all situations.
His outlook for the 2025 campaign centers on establishing consistency, building on his NHL experience since his 2021 debut, and contributing to a Canucks roster looking to remain competitive in the Western Conference. A strong season could further cement his status as a reliable NHL defenceman heading into future contract negotiations.