Joshua David Manson (born October 7, 1991) is a Canadian-American professional
ice hockey
Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. Tw ...
defenceman
Defence or defense (in American English) in ice hockey is a player position that is primarily responsible for preventing the opposing team from Goal (ice hockey), scoring. They are often referred to as defencemen, D, D-men or blueliners (the l ...
for the
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...
of the
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...
(NHL).
Manson was selected by the
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Ducks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confere ...
in the sixth round, 160th overall, of the
2011 NHL entry draft
The 2011 NHL entry draft was the 49th entry draft for the National Hockey League. It was held on June 24–25, 2011, at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was the first time the draft was held in the state of Minnesota since the ...
. He is the son of former longtime NHL defenceman
Dave Manson
David Michael Manson (born January 27, 1967) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with several teams. He was an assistant coach with the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey Leag ...
. Manson won the
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...
with the Avalanche in
2022
The year began with another wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, Omicron spreading rapidly and becoming the dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. Tracking a decrease in cases and deaths, 2022 saw ...
.
Manson played three seasons of NCAA Division I hockey with
Northeastern University
Northeastern University (NU or NEU) is a private university, private research university with its main campus in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was founded by the Boston Young Men's Christian Association in 1898 as an all-male instit ...
, where he was rewarded when he was selected as
HE Best Defensive Defenseman and was named to the
2013–14 Hockey East Second All-Star Team.
Playing career
Junior
Manson moved to
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Prince Albert is the third-largest city in Saskatchewan, Canada, after Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan, Regina. It is situated near the centre of the province on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. The city is known as the "Gateway ...
following the end of his father's playing career. Manson wasn't initially interested in ice hockey and was debating whether to try out for the midget team.
During the 2008-09 season, Manson committed to play for the
Salmon Arm Silverbacks
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks are a junior ice hockey team from Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada. They are a part of the British Columbia Hockey League. The Silverbacks returned a BCHL team to Shuswap/Salmon Arm 12 years after the previous tea ...
of the
British Columbia Hockey League
The British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) is an independent Canadian Junior ice hockey league with 21 teams in British Columbia and Alberta. It was classified as a Junior "A" league within the Hockey Canada framework, until it became independe ...
(BCHL).
Manson became a defenceman during his second season with the Silverbacks, following injuries to the lineup and elected to develop himself in the position.
Manson recorded 12 goals and 35 assists in 57 games with the Silverbacks, which earned him consideration to be selected in the
2011 NHL entry draft
The 2011 NHL entry draft was the 49th entry draft for the National Hockey League. It was held on June 24–25, 2011, at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was the first time the draft was held in the state of Minnesota since the ...
.
Prior to the 2011 NHL entry draft, Manson accepted a scholarship to play
NCAA Division I
NCAA Division I (D-I) is the highest division of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States, which accepts players globally. D-I schools include the major collegiate athlet ...
ice hockey for
Quinnipiac University
Quinnipiac University ( ) is a private university in Hamden, Connecticut, United States. The university grants undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. It also hosts the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
History
What became ...
for the 2012–13 season. Manson was drafted in the sixth round, by the Anaheim Ducks.
Following his selection, Manson opted to transfer from Quinnipiac to
Northeastern University
Northeastern University (NU or NEU) is a private university, private research university with its main campus in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was founded by the Boston Young Men's Christian Association in 1898 as an all-male instit ...
.
Collegiate
Manson joined the Northeastern Huskies men's ice hockey team for their 2011–12 season, where he played in 22 games and recorded four points.
The following season, Manson recorded his first collegiate goal in overtime against the
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
A university () is an institution of tertiary education and research which awards academic degree
An academic degree is a qualification awarded to a student upon successful completion of a course of study in higher education, usually at a co ...
. During his junior season, Manson was named team captain. He was selected as
HE Best Defensive Defenseman and was named to the
2013–14 Hockey East Second All-Star Team.
Professional
Anaheim Ducks
On March 25, 2014, forgoing his final year of collegiate eligibility, Manson signed a two-year,
entry-level contract
An entry-level job is a job that is normally designed or designated for recent graduates of a given discipline and typically does not require prior experience in the field or profession. These roles may require some on-site training. Many entr ...
with the Anaheim Ducks. He began the season with the
Norfolk Admirals Norfolk Admirals has been the name of two professional ice hockey franchises:
*Norfolk Admirals (AHL), a team which played in the American Hockey League from 2000 to 2015
*Norfolk Admirals (ECHL)
The Norfolk Admirals are a professional ice hockey ...
in the
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...
(AHL) before being recalled to the NHL level due to various injuries. After
Mark Fistric suffered an upper-body injury during a game against the
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
he subsequently made his NHL debut on October 31, 2014, against the
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...
. During the game, he registered one hit in 12:30 of ice time and played on the teams' penalty kill. Manson split his time between the Admirals and Ducks during the season, playing 28 games with Anaheim and 36 games in the AHL.
After attending the Ducks' training camp, Manson was named to their opening night roster prior to the
2015–16 season but was shortly thereafter placed on their injured reserve due to an unspecified upper-body injury. Following a game against the
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...
on March 24, Manson was fined $2,487 for making an inappropriate throat-slashing gesture towards
Nazem Kadri
Nazem Kadri (born October 6, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and alternate captain for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). Kadri won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, becoming the first ...
. As the Ducks made the
2016 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs was the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL) for the 2015–16 season. They began on April 13, 2016, and ended on June 12, 2016, with the Pittsburgh Penguins winning the cup by defeating the San ...
, Manson played in Game 1 of the First Round against the
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators (colloquially referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Predators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Divisio ...
but was knocked out of the game following a hit from
Filip Forsberg
Carl Filip Anton Forsberg (; born 13 August 1994), nicknamed "Fil", is a Swedish professional ice hockey player and alternate captain for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Forsberg was selected by the Washington Capit ...
. As a result of the hit, Manson did not play for the remainder of the series.
The following season, Manson scored his first career NHL goal on November 6 during a home game against the
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets (often simply referred to as the Jackets) are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. The Blue Jackets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern C ...
. He scored at 8:46 of the third period to help the Ducks win 4–2. He appeared in 71 games and recorded 15 points while playing alongside
Hampus Lindholm
Hampus Lindholm (; born 20 January 1994) is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Lindholm began his ice hockey career with Jonstorps IF and previously played with Rögle BK. He th ...
.
During the Ducks' playoff berth, Manson was praised for his physical play during their series against the
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
and Nashville Predators. In Game 7 against the Oilers, Manson set a new franchise playoff hit record with 11 within 20:38 of ice time in the 2–1 win.
On October 4, 2017, Manson signed a four-year contract extension with the Ducks through the 2021–22 NHL season. In the first year of his new contract, Manson set career highs in goals, assists, and points.
He continued to play alongside Lindholm and they combined for a 53.53 Corsi-For percentage at even strength.
After attending the Ducks' training camp, Manson was named to their opening night roster prior to the
2019–20 season. However, in late October Manson suffered an MCL sprain during a game against the
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...
and was expected to be out of the lineup for 5–10 weeks.
In the following pandemic shortened season, on January 21, 2021, it was announced that Manson would be out nearly six weeks with an oblique muscle injury sustained against the
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confer ...
. He was limited to just 23 regular season games, posting 7 points, as the Ducks missed the post-season for the third consecutive year.
In his seventh season with the Ducks in , Manson as the veteran and alternate captain on the blueline for the rebuilding Ducks, contributed with 4 goals and 9 points through 45 games.
Colorado Avalanche

While in the final season of his four-year contract and with the Ducks trending out of playoff contention, Manson was traded to the
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...
, in exchange for
Drew Helleson and a
2023
Catastrophic natural disasters in 2023 included the Lists of 21st-century earthquakes, 5th-deadliest earthquake of the 21st century 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, striking Turkey and Syria, leaving up to 62,000 people dead; Cyclone Freddy ...
second-round draft pick on March 14, 2022. He ended his tenure with Anaheim, placing fifth all-time among franchise defenseman in games played with 453. He made his debut with the Avalanche against the
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...
, demonstrating his physical presence to register a game high 10 hits, in a 3–0 victory on March 15, 2022. On May 17, 2022, Manson scored his first career playoff goal, an overtime winner against the
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
.
Personal life
Manson was born in the
Chicago
Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
area suburb of
Hinsdale, Illinois
Hinsdale is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States, with a small portion in Cook County, Illinois, Cook County. It is one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois. Hinsdale is a western suburb of Chicago with a population of 17,395 ...
,
when his father
Dave
Dave may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* ''Dave'' (film), a 1993 film starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver
* ''Dave'' (musical), a 2018 stage musical adaptation of the 1993 film
* ''Dave'' (TV series), a 2020 American comedy series
* ...
played for the
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...
. Five days before his birth, his father was traded to the
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
.
Manson is the oldest of four siblings and comes from a family of strong athletic lineage. His sister Meagan previously played soccer for the
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan (U of S, or USask) is a Universities in Canada, Canadian public university, public research university, founded on March 19, 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatch ...
, while his brother Ben previously played for the
La Ronge Ice Wolves
The La Ronge Ice Wolves are a Canadian junior "A" ice hockey team based in La Ronge, Saskatchewan. They play in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and will play their homes games at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre, which has a se ...
of the
Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan and one of nine member leagues of the Canadian Junior Hockey League.
Open to North American-born players 20 years o ...
. Manson is the cousin of current DEL defenseman
Dylan Yeo.
Manson and his wife, Julie, have two daughters together. Manson is a
Christian
A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...
.
Career statistics
Awards and honours
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Manson, Josh
1991 births
Living people
American men's ice hockey defensemen
Anaheim Ducks draft picks
Anaheim Ducks players
Colorado Avalanche players
Flin Flon Bombers players
Ice hockey players from Illinois
Norfolk Admirals players
Northeastern Huskies men's ice hockey players
Sportspeople from Hinsdale, Illinois
Ice hockey people from Cook County, Illinois
Salmon Arm Silverbacks players
Stanley Cup champions
21st-century American sportsmen