Roman Josi

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Josi grew up in an athletic household in Bern, Switzerland, the second son of Doris and Peter Josi. His mother was a former national team swimmer and his father played competitive soccer. Josi played both soccer and hockey before committing to ice hockey at age 10. He played with SC Bern from 2006 to 2010, making his National League debut in 2006–07 and becoming a mainstay in 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. After signing a three-year entry-level contract on 28 May 2010, he joined the Predators' organization for the 2010–11 season, playing first with the Milwaukee Admirals before becoming a mainstay in the Predators lineup during the 2011–12 NHL season.

In Their Own Story

Josi made his NHL debut on 25 November 2011 against the Detroit Red Wings, playing 12:20 minutes. He scored his first career NHL goal on 10 December to lift the Predators 3–2 over the Anaheim Ducks, playing 12:45 minutes including time on the power play. After star defenseman Shea Weber suffered an injury, Josi's ice time spiked to an average of 23:43 for four games. Playing alongside Hal Gill, Josi produced two goals, five points, and a +7 plus/minus rating in Gill's first nine games. Josi missed nine games with an upper-body injury but returned on 30 March, playing an important role for Nashville's first three goals and recording a team-high four shots on goal. He helped the Predators finish the season 4–1–0 and qualify for the 2012 playoffs, where he played all 10 games. On 10 June 2013, Josi signed a seven-year, $28 million contract. In 2013–14, he tied with Patric Hörnqvist for second on the team with 21 assists by mid-March, finishing with 13 goals and 40 points through 72 games. During the 2014–15 season, Josi scored 15 goals, 40 assists, and 55 points, one shy of the Predators' single-season scoring record for defensemen set by Weber the prior year.

Reader's Guide

Josi's career with the Predators is defined by steady growth and record-breaking achievements. After his rookie season, he returned to SC Bern during the 2012 NHL lockout, playing alongside John Tavares and Mark Streit. When the lockout ended in January 2013, Josi returned to the Predators and set new career-highs in goals, assists, points, and games played. After Ryan Suter left, Josi stepped into a bigger role alongside Shea Weber, tallying four goals and 10 assists for 14 points through 31 games. In 2019–20, Josi became the first Swiss player and the first player in Predators' franchise history to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy as 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, reaching the 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.

Did You Know?

• Josi was one of just four 17-year-olds to play in Switzerland's top division in 2008.
• His mother was a former national team swimmer and his father played competitive soccer.
• Josi scored his first NHL goal on 10 December 2011 to lift the Predators 3–2 over the Anaheim Ducks.
• He signed a seven-year, $28 million contract with the Predators on 10 June 2013.
• In March 2023, Josi became the second-fastest active defenseman to reach 600 points, doing so in his 823rd game.