Dakota Joshua Bio
Dakota Joshua (born May 15, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected 128th overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2014 NHL entry draft, Joshua has built a reputation as a resilient two-way forward with a physical edge. He previously played for the St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks before returning to Toronto in July 2025. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 206 pounds, Joshua brings size, skill, and versatility to the Maple Leafs lineup.
Early Life and Background
Dakota Joshua was born on May 15, 1996, in Dearborn, Michigan. His mother was an integral part of his hockey upbringing, competing in the Michigan Senior Women’s Hockey League while raising her family. This early exposure to the sport at home fostered a deep passion for hockey in young Dakota. His younger brother, Jagger Joshua, also pursued a career in ice hockey, continuing the family’s tradition in the sport.
Growing up in Michigan, Dakota Joshua played junior ice hockey for the Honeybaked under-16 midget team, one of the premier development programs in the region. His strong performances with Honeybaked earned him an invitation to the USA Hockey select national team evaluation camp, signaling his potential as a future professional player. The combination of family influence and competitive youth hockey laid the foundation for his eventual path to the NHL.
Path to Professional Hockey
Following the 2011-12 season, Joshua was drafted by the Sioux Falls Stampede in the third round of the United States Hockey League (USHL) draft. He continued to develop his game in the USHL, splitting the 2012-13 season between Honeybaked and the Stampede before fully committing to the USHL for the 2013-14 season. His play earned him recognition from NHL Central Scouting Bureau, which ranked him 157th overall among North American skaters heading into the 2014 NHL Draft.
Despite his ranking, Joshua was not invited to the NHL draft combine. However, the Toronto Maple Leafs saw enough potential to select him in the fifth round, 128th overall, in the 2014 NHL entry draft. Joshua was unaware he had been drafted until he received a phone call from Toronto management while in his car. Maple Leafs’ amateur scouting director Dave Morrison praised the selection, noting Joshua’s athletic frame, skill flashes, and two-way diligence, projecting him as a potential top-nine forward.
Dakota Joshua Career
Sioux Falls Stampede (2012-2015)
Joshua spent two full seasons with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL, continuing his development as a complete player. His time with the Stampede proved highly successful, as he helped the team capture the 2015 Clark Cup championship. The Clark Cup victory represented a significant milestone in his junior career, demonstrating his ability to perform in high-pressure situations and contribute to winning teams.
Ohio State University (2015-2019)
Following his USHL career, Joshua enrolled at Ohio State University, where he played for the Buckeyes in the Big Ten Conference. In his freshman season, he recorded 17 points in 29 games, showing early promise as a collegiate player. A memorable moment came on January 15, 2016, when Joshua scored his first collegiate goal, which proved to be the game-winner in a shootout against the University of Michigan. He received a four-game suspension shortly after for actions during a game against Michigan.
Joshua’s sophomore season saw significant improvement, as he recorded 12 goals and 23 assists, earning Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors in March 2017. Off the ice, he excelled academically, being selected as an Ohio State Scholar-Athlete while majoring in the sports industry and earning a spot on the Academic All-Big Ten team. His college career demonstrated his commitment to balancing athletics and academics.
St. Louis Blues (2019-2022)
On July 12, 2019, Joshua’s rights were traded to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for future considerations. He made his NHL debut on March 1, 2021, in a 5-4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, scoring a goal in his first game. Joshua described the experience as life-changing, stating that playing in the NHL was the biggest honor in the sport. He was reassigned to the taxi squad shortly after his debut but was called back up to the main roster on March 5, 2021, establishing himself as an NHL player.
Vancouver Canucks (2022-2025)
As a free agent from the Blues, Joshua signed a two-year, $1.65 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks on July 13, 2022. The move to Vancouver provided him with an expanded role and opportunity to showcase his offensive abilities. On February 13, 2024, in a 4-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, Joshua achieved a rare Gordie Howe hat trick, recording two assists on Conor Garland’s goals before scoring himself and fighting MacKenzie Entwistle in the third period.
Following a career-best season with the Canucks, Joshua signed a four-year, $13 million contract extension on June 27, 2024, securing his future with the organization. However, his 2024-25 season preparations were interrupted when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer during the summer. The diagnosis required surgery, forcing him to miss training camp. Joshua made his return to game action on November 14, 2024, playing in a 5-2 loss against the New York Islanders.
Toronto Maple Leafs Era (2025-Present)
On July 17, 2025, Joshua was traded back to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team that originally drafted him in 2014, in exchange for a 2028 fourth-round draft pick. The return to Toronto marked a homecoming for Joshua, who was drafted by the organization over a decade earlier. His versatility, physical presence, and ability to contribute offensively give the Maple Leafs another dimension as they pursue a championship.
Playing Style and Strengths
Dakota Joshua is known as a reliable two-way forward who brings size and physicality to his game. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, he uses his frame effectively along the boards and in front of the net. His ability to contribute in all situations, combined with his toughness and willingness to engage physically, makes him a valuable asset for any team. His career-best season with Vancouver demonstrated his offensive upside, showing he can be more than just a checking-line player.
Notable Events and Milestones
Joshua’s NHL debut and first goal against the Anaheim Ducks on March 1, 2021, remains one of the memorable moments of his career. His Gordie Howe hat trick against Chicago in February 2024 showcased his complete skill set, combining skill, physicality, and nastiness in a single performance. The $13 million contract extension he signed with Vancouver recognized his value as a versatile forward who can impact games in multiple ways.
Dakota Joshua Career Wins and Statistics
Throughout his NHL career, Joshua has established himself as a consistent performer who contributes in various areas of the game. His most productive season came with Vancouver in 2023-24, where he set career highs in goals and assists. His versatility has allowed him to play in different roles, from checking-line duty to secondary scoring contributions.
NHL Highlights
Joshua’s NHL career began with an immediate impact, as he scored in his debut with St. Louis on March 1, 2021. His career-best season with the Vancouver Canucks in 2023-24 demonstrated his growth as a player, leading to his lucrative contract extension before being traded back to Toronto. He has appeared in multiple playoff series and continues to be a reliable contributor at the NHL level.
Junior and College Achievements
Prior to his NHL career, Joshua won the 2015 Clark Cup championship with the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL. At Ohio State University, he earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors and was recognized for his academic achievements with Ohio State Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-Big Ten distinctions. His game-winning goal against Michigan in his freshman year at Ohio State highlighted his ability to deliver in crucial moments.
Dakota Joshua Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the Joshua family. Dakota’s mother played competitive ice hockey in the Michigan Senior Women’s Hockey League while raising her family, serving as an early mentor and inspiration for both Dakota and his brother Jagger. This family involvement in the sport created a hockey-focused household that nurtured the brothers’ passion from a young age.
Personal Life
Dakota Joshua’s younger brother, Jagger Joshua, is also a professional ice hockey player, following in his brother’s footsteps. The brothers share a unique bond through their shared profession. In the summer of 2024, Dakota faced a significant health challenge when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, requiring surgery that forced him to miss training camp for the 2024-25 season. He successfully returned to play on November 14, 2024, demonstrating resilience in overcoming the health obstacle.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a new chapter in Dakota Joshua’s career as he returns to the Toronto Maple Leafs organization that originally drafted him in 2014. The trade from Vancouver to Toronto reunites Joshua with the team that saw his potential over a decade ago. As a member of the Maple Leafs, Joshua brings veteran experience, physical presence, and a track record of increasing offensive production.
Joshua’s role with the Maple Leafs is expected to be multifaceted, providing depth at forward while offering the versatility to move up and down the lineup as needed. His successful return from cancer treatment in 2024 has been noted as a testament to his mental toughness and dedication to the sport. The Maple Leafs coaching staff will look to leverage his size, two-way play, and playoff experience as the team pursues a deep postseason run.
The emotional return to Toronto, where he was drafted but never played, adds an inspiring narrative to Joshua’s career arc. From being an unknown fifth-round pick to earning a significant contract and returning to his original organization, Joshua’s journey exemplifies perseverance and steady improvement. His ability to contribute both offensively and through physical play makes him a valuable piece of the Maple Leafs’ puzzle as they aim for championship contention in 2025 and beyond.