Roman Josi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Roman Josi
Josi with the Nashville Predators during the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals
Born	(1990-06-01) 1 June 1990 (age 35) Bern, Switzerland
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	201 lb (91 kg; 14 st 5 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Nashville Predators SC Bern
National team	Switzerland
NHL Draft	38th overall, 2008 Nashville Predators
Playing career	2007–present

Roman Josi (born 1 June 1990) is a Swiss professional ice hockey defenceman. He is the captain of the Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Predators picked Josi 38th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Josi grew up in Switzerland and played for his local team, SC Bern, from 2006 to 2010. He quickly became a key player. In 2008, he was one of only four 17-year-olds in Switzerland's top league. In 2010, he helped SC Bern win the championship title.

After this win, Josi joined the Predators' team in 2010. He played one season with their minor league team, the Milwaukee Admirals. Then, he became a regular player for the Predators in the 2011–12 NHL season. During his NHL career, Josi has broken many team records. In 2019–20, he became the first Swiss player and the first Predator to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy. This award goes to the league's best defenceman. In 2021, he became the highest-scoring Swiss-born NHL player ever. In 2023, Josi reached 600 career points, setting a new team record for most seasons with 40 assists. Many people think he is one of the best defencemen in the NHL.

About Roman Josi

Early Life and Family

Roman Josi was born on 1 June 1990, in Bern, Switzerland. He is the second son of Doris and Peter Josi. His family was very active in sports. His mother was a national swimmer, and his father played competitive soccer. Roman played both soccer and hockey when he was young. He decided to focus on ice hockey when he was 10. His father and older brother are also involved in hockey. Roman supports his hometown football club, BSC Young Boys.

Starting His Hockey Journey

Josi played for SC Bern in Switzerland from 2006 to 2010. He first played in the National League in the 2006–07 season. He became a regular player in the 2007–08 season. In 2008, Josi was seen as one of the top defencemen for the NHL draft. The Nashville Predators picked him in the second round, 38th overall.

After the draft, Josi went back to Switzerland. He led all junior players in points, goals, and assists. In the 2010 NLA playoffs, Josi was a top scorer among defencemen. SC Bern won the championship title that year.

Playing in the NHL

Joining the Nashville Predators

Josi (left) with the Milwaukee Admirals in March 2011

Josi signed a three-year contract with the Predators in May 2010. He started the 2010–11 season with the Milwaukee Admirals. This team is the Predators' minor league affiliate. He scored his first goal in November. Josi had a 13-game scoring streak from January to February. He finished the season with 40 points in 69 games.

Josi made his NHL debut with the Predators on 25 November 2011. He scored his first NHL goal on 10 December against the Anaheim Ducks. When captain Shea Weber was injured, Josi's ice time increased a lot. He played more offensively and started scoring more points. Josi helped the Predators reach the 2012 playoffs. They beat the Detroit Red Wings but lost to the Phoenix Coyotes.

Becoming a Key Player

After his first NHL season, Josi played for SC Bern during the 2012 NHL lockout. When the lockout ended, he returned to the Predators. He quickly improved his scoring. Josi took on a bigger role after Ryan Suter left the team. He played alongside Shea Weber and scored 18 points in 48 games.

In June 2013, Josi signed a seven-year contract with the Predators. He continued to get better. He became a top defenceman, playing almost 26 minutes per game. Josi finished the 2013-14 season with 13 goals and 40 points.

Reaching the Stanley Cup Finals

Josi was selected to play in the NHL's All-Star Game in 2016.

In the 2014–15 season, Josi scored 15 goals and 40 assists for 55 points. This was almost a team record for defencemen. He was one of the top players in ice time. Josi helped the Predators reach the 2015 playoffs. He scored his first playoff goal against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Predators lost to the Blackhawks in six games. Josi was a top candidate for the James Norris Memorial Trophy.

Before the 2015–16 season, Josi was named an alternate captain. He set a new team record for defencemen with 61 points in 81 games. He was chosen for his first 2016 NHL All-Star Game. Josi played through a broken finger and nose in the 2016 playoffs. He still had nine points in 14 games. He was again a top candidate for the Norris Trophy.

In the 2016–17 season, the Predators traded Shea Weber for P. K. Subban. Josi became a full-time alternate captain. He helped the Predators upset the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the 2017 playoffs. Josi played a big part in the team's run to the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals. He scored six goals in the playoffs, a team record for a defenceman. The Predators lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Finals.

Captaincy and Norris Trophy Win

Before the 2017–18 season, Josi was named the seventh captain in Predators history. He formed a strong defensive pair with Mattias Ekholm. Josi recorded his 200th career assist in February. He also tied a team record with five points in one game. The Predators won their first Central Division title and the Presidents' Trophy that season. Josi had 53 points in 75 games.

In the 2018–19 season, Josi was ranked among the top 10 NHL defencemen. He was named to his second NHL All-Star Game. He finished the season with 56 points. The Predators won the Central Division again but lost in the first round of the 2019 playoffs.

Josi signed a big eight-year contract in October 2019. He played most of the 2019–20 season with Ryan Ellis. Josi was an early favorite to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy. He set a career-high seven-game point streak. He was named to his third NHL All-Star Game. Josi became the first defenceman in team history to reach 40 points in fewer than 40 games. He also set a new team record for the longest point streak by a defenceman. The NHL season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Josi finished second in scoring among defencemen with 65 points. He became the first Predators player and Swiss player to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy.

In the 2020–21 season, Josi passed Mark Streit to become the highest-scoring Swiss-born NHL player. He finished the season with 33 points in 48 games. The Predators qualified for the 2021 playoffs but lost in the first round.

Record-Breaking Seasons

Josi in November 2023.

Josi had an amazing 2021–22. He set many personal and team records. He played his 700th NHL game. Josi broke the team record for assists by a single player. He became the first defenceman since 1994 to record 90 points in a season. Josi finished the regular season leading all NHL defencemen with 96 points (23 goals, 73 assists). He was nominated for the Norris Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award. The Predators made the 2022 playoffs but were swept by the Colorado Avalanche.

In the 2022–23 season, Josi continued to break records. He passed David Legwand to become the Predators' all-time leading scorer. In March 2023, Josi became the second-fastest active defenceman to reach 600 career points. He also set a new team record for most 40-assist seasons. Josi led the Predators with 59 points despite missing the end of the season due to injury. The Predators did not make the 2023 playoffs that year.

In the 2023–24 season, Josi played all 82 games. He finished first in goals and third in points among defencemen. The Predators returned to the playoffs, but lost in the first round. Josi was a Norris Trophy finalist for the third time.

Playing for Switzerland

Josi at the 2013 IIHF World Championship
Medal record
Representing  Switzerland
Ice hockey
World Championships
Silver	2013 Sweden/Finland
Silver	2018 Denmark
Silver	2024 Czechia
Representing Team Europe
World Cup
Silver	2016 Toronto

Josi has played for his home country, Switzerland, in many international tournaments. He first played for the junior team at age 16 in 2007. In the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, he was named the Best Defenceman.

He made his senior team debut for Switzerland in 2010. He helped Switzerland reach the final of the 2013 IIHF World Championship. Josi was named the tournament's MVP and Best Defenceman. He also made the World Championships All-Star Team.

Josi played in his first Olympics in 2014. In 2016, he played for Team Europe in the World Cup of Hockey. He has won three silver medals with Switzerland at the World Championships (2013, 2018, 2024).

Life Outside Hockey

Josi married Ellie Ottaway, a model and musician, in 2019. They have two children.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Josi helped his community in Tennessee. He raised money for tornado relief and donated to food banks. He also gave money to ministries that help people in Nashville.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

• All statistics taken from NHL.com

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2007	Switzerland	WJC			6	0	0	0	0
2007	Switzerland	U18			6	1	1	2	2
2008	Switzerland	WJC			6	0	1	1	4
2008	Switzerland	U18			6	1	4	5	4
2009	Switzerland	WJC D1			5	2	3	5	6
2009	Switzerland	WC			6	0	0	0	2
2010	Switzerland	WJC			4	1	2	3	0
2010	Switzerland	WC			7	1	2	3	0
2012	Switzerland	WC			3	0	1	1	0
2013	Switzerland	WC			10	4	5	9	4
2014	Switzerland	OLY			4	0	0	0	0
2014	Switzerland	WC			7	1	6	7	2
2015	Switzerland	WC			8	2	2	4	2
2016	Team Europe	WCH			6	0	0	0	2
2018	Switzerland	WC			5	0	3	3	4
2019	Switzerland	WC			8	1	5	6	10
2024	Switzerland	WC			10	3	9	12	4
Junior totals					33	5	11	16	16
Senior totals					74	12	33	45	30

Awards and Achievements

Records

Nashville Predators

• Most assists (402)
• Most assists in a season (73, 2021–22)
• Most points in a season (96, 2021–22)