Roman Josi
Swiss defenceman and Norris Trophy winner for the Nashville Predators.
Roman Josi (born 1 June 1990) is a Swiss professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Nashville Predators in the NHL. He was selected 38th overall by the Predators in the 2008 draft.
Josi grew up in Bern, Switzerland, the second son of Doris and Peter Josi. His mother was a national team swimmer, his father played competitive soccer, and both his father and older brother, Yannic, are involved in hockey—Yannic played in SwissDiv3 and Peter serves on the SC Bern board. Josi played soccer and hockey as a child before committing to hockey at age 10. He supports hometown football club BSC Young Boys.
Josi played for SC Bern from 2006 to 2010. He debuted in the National League in 2006–07 and became a regular in 2007–08. In his draft year, he had eight points in 35 games and played in two international tournaments. He was considered a top defenceman in the 2008 draft. After being drafted, he returned to Switzerland, where he led all Swiss junior players in points, goals, and assists. He was one of only four 17-year-olds in the top Swiss division. Despite missing nearly four weeks in 2009–10, he had 20 points in 24 games by late December and finished second among Swiss defencemen in points per game, playing only 26 contests. In the 2010 NLA playoffs, he led all defencemen in goals and tied for fourth overall as SC Bern won the championship.
Josi signed a three-year entry-level contract with Nashville on 28 May 2010 and joined their organization for 2010–11. He was assigned to the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals. After missing the first seven games, he scored his first AHL goal in early November. He had 14 points in his first 35 games, then a 13-game scoring streak from 20 January to 20 February—the longest by an Admiral since Mike Santorelli’s 14-game streak in 2008. By late February, he had 12 points in 11 games and was among the top 15 AHL rookies in scoring. He was nominated for AHL Rookie of the Month but lost to Brandon Kozun. He finished the regular season with six goals and 34 assists for 30 points in 69 games. In the Calder Cup playoffs, he recorded an assist in each of his first four postseason games.
In 2011–12, Josi started the season on injured reserve, then tallied four points in five AHL games before being recalled to Nashville on 25 November. He made his NHL debut the next day against Detroit, playing 12:20.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1990-06-01
- Birth Place
- Bern, Switzerland
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 1
- Weight Lb
- 201
- Position
- Defence
- Shoots
- Left
- League
- NHL
- Team
- Nashville Predators
- Former Teams
- SC Bern
- Ntl Team
- SUI
- Draft
- 38th overall
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Roman Josi grew up in Bern, Switzerland, playing for SC Bern from 2006 to 2010. He made his National League debut in the 2006–07 season and became a mainstay in the lineup during 2007–08. In 2008, he was one of just four 17-year-olds to play in Switzerland's top division. During the 2010 NLA playoffs, Josi led all defensemen and tied for fourth overall in goals as SC Bern won the Championship title. He was drafted 38th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2008 NHL entry draft.
Josi joined the Predators' organization for the 2010–11 season, playing first with their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, before becoming a mainstay in the Predators lineup during the 2011–12 NHL season. He made his NHL debut on 26 November 2011 against the Detroit Red Wings and scored his first NHL goal on 10 December 2011 against the Anaheim Ducks. During his career, Josi set and broke numerous franchise records. In 2019–20, he became the first Swiss player and the first Predators player to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy. In 2021, he surpassed Mark Streit as the highest-scoring Swiss-born NHL player. In March 2023, Josi became the second-fastest active defenseman to reach 600 points, doing so in his 823rd game, and set a new franchise record for most 40-assist seasons. He subsequently became the second defenseman to lead an active NHL franchise in points, joining Ray Bourque.
Reader's Guide
Roman Josi's significance lies in his achievements as a defenceman for the Nashville Predators. He is the first Swiss player and the first Predators player to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded in the 2019–20 season to the league's best defenceman. In 2021, he surpassed Mark Streit as the highest-scoring Swiss-born NHL player. In March 2023, Josi became the second-fastest active defenseman to reach 600 points in his NHL career, achieving this milestone in his 823rd game. He also set a new franchise record for most 40-assist seasons. Josi subsequently became the second defenseman to lead an active NHL franchise in points, joining Ray Bourque. His legacy includes setting and breaking numerous franchise records for the Predators, and he is widely considered one of the best defencemen of his generation. His career path from playing in Switzerland's top division as a teenager to becoming a Norris Trophy winner and franchise leader underscores his impact on the sport.
Did You Know?
- Roman Josi was born on 1 June 1990 in Bern, Switzerland.
- Josi won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in the 2019–20 season as the league's best defenceman.
- He surpassed Mark Streit in 2021 as the highest-scoring Swiss-born NHL player.
More in NHL Trophy Winners, Part 2 1-24
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