Joel Edmundson Bio
Joel Edmundson is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing at 6 feet 5 inches, Edmundson has established himself as a physical, stay-at-home defenseman known for his strong puck movement and shot-blocking ability. He was selected 46th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and won the Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019. Over his NHL career spanning from 2013 to present, Edmundson has played for six NHL teams while maintaining a reputation as a reliable two-way defender capable of contributing in key playoff moments.
Early Life and Background
Joel Edmundson was born on June 28, 1993, in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, to parents Bob and Lois Edmundson. His introduction to hockey came at the age of two, inspired by his older brother Jesse Edmundson. Growing up in Manitoba, Joel and his brother played junior ice hockey together with their hometown midget AAA team, the Brandon Wheat Kings. During the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons, Edmundson appeared in 85 games with the Wheat Kings, scoring 58 points while competing alongside future NHLer Micheal Ferland.
Edmundson’s father Bob played a supportive role in the hockey community, even assisting Micheal Ferland financially so he could continue playing when recruited by the Wheat Kings. Edmundson also appeared in one game for the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Dauphin Kings during the 2009-10 season. His strong performances caught the attention of Western Hockey League (WHL) scouts, and he was drafted 121st overall by the Moose Jaw Warriors during the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft.
Path to Professional Hockey
Edmundson began his WHL career with the Moose Jaw Warriors, where he developed into a promising defensive prospect. In his rookie season with the Warriors, he played 71 games, scoring 20 points while accumulating 95 penalty minutes. Originally ranked 69th overall by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau heading into the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, his strong rookie campaign boosted his stock to 33rd overall. Warriors assistant coach and defensive specialist Mike Vandenberghe praised Edmundson’s development, noting his size, potential, and offensive upside while describing him as a good solid stay-at-home defenseman with good puck movement.
The St. Louis Blues selected Edmundson 46th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Following the draft, he attended the Blues summer training camp but suffered an ankle injury that caused him to miss a month of playing time. He returned to the Warriors lineup on October 27, 2011, and was later named to Team WHL during the CHL Canada/Russia Series as a replacement for Griffin Reinhart. The Warriors finished first in the WHL’s East Division during the 2011-12 season, and Edmundson recorded 23 points in 56 games.
Joel Edmundson Career
Professional Development (2013-2015)
After completing his junior career, Edmundson signed a three-year entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues. He began his professional career with the Blues’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, after being cut from training camp. He recorded his first professional goal on November 13, 2013, in a 3-1 win over the Iowa Wild, scoring the game-winning goal during the second period. The Wolves finished first in the Midwest Division and qualified for the 2014 Calder Cup playoffs, where they lost in the second round.
Edmundson was reassigned to the Wolves out of the Blues’ 2014 Training Camp but made his season debut on February 3, 2015, due to an injury. In 30 regular season games that season, he recorded 12 points and 49 penalty minutes as the team finished third in the Midwest Division.
St. Louis Blues Breakthrough (2015-2019)
Edmundson made the opening night roster of the St. Louis Blues for the 2015-16 season. Alongside fellow rookie Colton Parayko, he made his NHL debut on October 8, 2015, against the Edmonton Oilers. Edmundson alternated between the AHL and NHL throughout the season, playing 23 games with the Blues before being re-assigned to the Chicago Wolves. He returned to the NHL roster before Christmas and scored his first career NHL goal on March 25, 2016, in a 4-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks to help the Blues clinch a playoff spot. At season’s end, he recorded nine points in 66 games and set a franchise record for most hits by a rookie with 162.
The 2016-17 season saw Edmundson once again make the Blues opening night roster. His time was cut short by an upper-body injury during a win over the Colorado Avalanche, and he was placed on injured reserve before returning on December 5 after missing 12 games. He finished the season with 16 points in 69 games and was placed on the team’s protected list for the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft.
During the 2017-18 season, Edmundson again alternated in and out of the Blues lineup due to various injuries. On February 9, 2018, he was placed on injured reserve for six weeks to recover from a broken right forearm. After missing 13 games, he returned on March 15, 2018, and scored in a 4-1 loss to the Avalanche. Playing primarily with either Alex Pietrangelo or Colton Parayko, Edmundson finished with a career-high 17 points in 69 games.
Edmundson agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract for the 2018-19 season on July 24, 2018. A groin injury delayed his season debut until October 11, and he later suffered another lower-body injury during a game against the Arizona Coyotes on March 12, 2019. Despite the injuries, Edmundson helped the Blues qualify for the 2019 Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins. He played in five of the seven games in the series, contributing to the Blues clinching their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. During his Day with the Cup, Edmundson returned to Brandon, Manitoba, bringing the trophy to his training gym and the Western Manitoba Cancer Centre.
Carolina Hurricanes (2019-2020)
On September 24, 2019, Edmundson was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes, along with Dominik Bokk and a seventh-round pick in 2021, in exchange for Justin Faulk. After going pointless in his first 17 games, Edmundson recorded his first goal as a Hurricane and two assists during an 8-2 win over the Ottawa Senators on November 11, 2019. By January 19, 2020, he had surpassed his previous career-high point total of 11, recording his 12th point of the season. Two months later, he set a new career-high with his 19th point of the season.
Montreal Canadiens (2020-2023)
On September 12, 2020, Edmundson was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a 2020 fifth-round pick. Four days later, he signed a four-year, $14 million contract with the Canadiens. Edmundson noted that his father was a lifelong fan of the team, making the signing particularly meaningful. He quickly became an integral part of the Canadiens’ defense, pairing primarily with Jeff Petry. With the Canadiens making a deep playoff run, Edmundson participated in his second Stanley Cup Final, though the team was defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games.
The 2021-22 season presented significant challenges. Edmundson reported to training camp with an undisclosed injury that would keep him from skating, later identified as a back injury. His recovery proved protracted due to multiple setbacks and time away to care for his ailing father. Eventually concluding surgery would not be required, he returned to practice at the end of February 2022 and to game action on March 12, 2022, when the Canadiens hosted the expansion Seattle Kraken for the first time in their history.
Ahead of the 2022-23 season, Edmundson was considered a candidate to succeed Shea Weber as Canadiens captain but was instead named an alternate captain while Nick Suzuki received the captaincy. Days later, Edmundson and Suzuki collided during a training scrimmage, aggravating Edmundson’s prior back injury and placing him out indefinitely.
Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs (2023-2024)
On July 1, 2023, Edmundson was traded by the Canadiens to the Washington Capitals in exchange for third and seventh-round picks in 2024. The following March, on March 7, 2024, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for 2024 third and 2025 fifth-round draft picks with 50% salary retention.
Los Angeles Kings Era (2024-Present)
On July 1, 2024, after leaving the Maple Leafs as a free agent, Edmundson signed a four-year, $15.4 million contract with the Los Angeles Kings. This move represented a significant opportunity for Edmundson to join a franchise with strong playoff aspirations and establish himself as a veteran presence on their blue line.
Playing Style and Strengths
Edmundson is known as a physical, stay-at-home defenseman with good size at 6 feet 5 inches. His game emphasizes strong defensive positioning, physicality in his own zone, and the ability to clear opposing forwards from prime scoring areas. He has set franchise records for hits among rookie players and brings a veteran presence to any defensive corps. His puck movement allows him to contribute offensively when opportunities arise, though his primary value lies in his defensive reliability and ability to play heavy minutes against top opponents.
International Career
As a Canadian national, Edmundson represented his country at the 2018 IIHF World Championship. After missing the first game of the tournament due to a groin injury, he scored three points in Canada’s 10-0 win over South Korea on May 6, 2018. Canada finished fourth in the tournament without medaling.
Joel Edmundson Career Statistics
Over his NHL career spanning from 2015 to present, Edmundson has established himself as a reliable two-way defenseman with notable success in the playoffs. His Stanley Cup victory with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 represents his championship triumph at the highest level, while his appearance in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final with the Canadiens demonstrated his ability to perform in high-pressure situations. His career-high point totals have continued to climb throughout his career, showing his development as an offensive contributor from the blue line while maintaining his defensive responsibilities.
Joel Edmundson Family
Family Background and Support System
Edmundson was born in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, to Bob and Lois Edmundson. His father Bob played a meaningful role in supporting local hockey initiatives, including financially assisting Micheal Ferland so he could play for the Brandon Wheat Kings. His older brother Jesse Edmundson served as Joel’s early inspiration for playing hockey, beginning at age two.
Personal Life
Edmundson maintains connections to his Manitoba roots, returning to Brandon after significant career milestones including the Stanley Cup victory. During his Day with the Cup in 2019, he brought the trophy to his training gym, the Sportsplex, and the Western Manitoba Cancer Centre, demonstrating his commitment to his community. He navigated a challenging period during the 2021-22 season when he took time away from the Canadiens to care for his ailing father. Edmundson continues to engage with the hockey community through various initiatives and remains close to his family in Manitoba.
2024-25 Season Performance
Edmundson enters the 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Kings following his July 2024 signing. At 31 years old, he brings a wealth of experience including two Stanley Cup Final appearances and a championship ring from his 2019 victory with the Blues. The four-year, $15.4 million contract demonstrates the Kings’ confidence in his ability to anchor their defense and provide veteran leadership. As he adapts to his new team, Edmundson will look to build on his career-high point totals and continue his physical style of play while contributing to a Kings team with strong playoff aspirations in the Western Conference.