Pierre-Olivier Joseph Bio
Pierre-Olivier Joseph is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman who currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on July 1, 1999, in Laval, Quebec, Joseph was selected 23rd overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 NHL entry draft. He has built his career as a two-way defenseman known for his mobility, offensive instincts, and defensive play. After developing through the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Joseph began his professional career in the Penguins organization before joining the Canucks in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Pierre-Olivier Joseph was born on July 1, 1999, in Laval, Quebec, Canada, to parents Frantzi Joseph and France Taillon. His father, Frantzi Joseph, played and coached hockey for many years and is of Haitian descent. His mother, France Taillon, was a competitive athlete in her youth. Joseph grew up with his older brother Mathieu Joseph, who also became a professional NHL player. The brothers would later become teammates during their professional careers.
Joseph experienced challenges during his youth hockey career, including racial slurs on the ice and being told to return to his “own country.” These experiences shaped his resilience and determination as he pursued his hockey dreams. His family’s athletic background provided a strong foundation for his development as a player.
Path to Hockey
Joseph began his major junior career when he was drafted 78th overall in the 2015 QMJHL entry draft by the Charlottetown Islanders. After attending their training camp, he was re-assigned to Collège Antoine-Girouard Gaulois in the Ligue de Hockey Midget AAA du Québec before being recalled full time by the Islanders in early November of his rookie season. He concluded his first QMJHL season with eight points in 48 games and received a “B” ranking from the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s October “Players to Watch” list prior to the 2016-17 season.
Joseph returned to the Islanders for his sophomore season as an assistant captain and set new career highs in goals, assists, and points. He recorded 39 points in 33 games, significantly improving his offensive output. At the end of that season, he was named the Islanders’ finalist for the Marcel Robert Trophy and was a finalist for the Michael Bossy Trophy, recognizing him as one of the top prospects in the QMJHL. Following his strong major junior performance, Joseph’s draft stock rose considerably.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph Career
Amateur Career (2015-2019)
After being drafted by the Charlottetown Islanders, Joseph was traded to the Drummondville Voltigeurs in December 2017. At the time of the trade, he had recorded 25 points in 27 games. His strong play earned him the honor of being named captain of Team QMJHL at the 2018 CIBC Canada-Russia Series, showcasing his leadership abilities among the league’s top players. His performance throughout his major junior career demonstrated steady improvement and increasing confidence on the ice.
Joseph was drafted 23rd overall at the 2017 NHL entry draft by the Arizona Coyotes and signed a three-year NHL entry-level contract. After being drafted, he spent the 2017-18 season focusing on adding weight and muscle to his frame. He worked with the team’s nutritionist and went from 160 pounds to 168 pounds by the Coyotes’ 2018 development camp, demonstrating his commitment to physical development at the professional level.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2019-2024)
On June 29, 2019, Joseph was traded by the Coyotes, along with Alex Galchenyuk, to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Phil Kessel, Dane Birks, and a fourth-round pick. He continued his strength training during the 2019 off-season, gaining 10 pounds before entering his first professional season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the American Hockey League (AHL). Joseph went from 165 pounds to 175 pounds before training camp through work with his brother and a trainer in Tampa Bay. However, six games into his rookie season, he suffered a bout of mononucleosis and missed over a month to recover. Upon returning, he recorded two points in 11 games despite losing the 10 pounds he had gained.
Despite the early setback, Joseph continued to develop and was given increased responsibilities as teammates were called up to the NHL level. In his final 32 games with the AHL team, he recorded 14 points and a plus-8 rating. Prior to the pause of the season due to COVID-19, Joseph was playing on the Penguins’ top defensive pairing with Jon Lizotte and averaging well over 20 minutes per game.
Joseph made his NHL debut on January 22, 2021, against the New York Rangers due to injuries across the Penguins lineup. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan spoke highly of him, saying: “P-O’s a good player. He’s stronger. He’s faster. He’s a good two-way defenseman. He has good offensive instincts. He has the ability to join the rush, can make an outlet pass and sees the ice well.” Within his first seven games with the Penguins, he recorded five points including his first career NHL goal against Semyon Varlamov of the New York Islanders.
St. Louis Blues and Return to Pittsburgh (2024)
Following five seasons within the Penguins organization, Joseph was not tendered a qualifying offer by the club and was released as a free agent. On July 2, 2024, he signed a one-year, $950,000 contract with the St. Louis Blues, joining his brother Mathieu, who was also newly acquired by the Blues. However, his tenure with the Blues was brief, as he was traded back to Pittsburgh on December 18, 2024, for future considerations. This trade reunited him with the organization where he had spent the majority of his professional career to that point.
Vancouver Canucks (2025-Present)
As a free agent for a second consecutive season, Joseph signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Vancouver Canucks on July 2, 2025. This move marked a new chapter in his career as he joined a different Western Conference team and looked to establish himself as a regular contributor on the Canucks’ blue line. The Canucks were rebuilding their defensive corps and saw Joseph as a valuable addition with his combination of mobility and two-way play.
Driving Style and Strengths
Joseph is known as a two-way defenseman with good mobility and offensive instincts. His strengths include the ability to join the rush, make effective outlet passes, and see the ice well. His reach and mobility allow him to be effective in both ends of the rink. Penguins coaches have noted his improved strength and speed throughout his professional career, and his ability to play significant minutes has made him a reliable option on the blue line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Joseph’s most significant career milestone came when he made his NHL debut on January 22, 2021, and scored his first career NHL goal shortly thereafter. He also represented Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded one goal in ten games and won a gold medal. This international success demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest levels of international competition.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph International Career
On May 5, 2023, Joseph was named to Canada’s men’s national ice hockey team for the 2023 IIHF World Championship. He recorded one goal in ten games during the tournament and helped Canada win the gold medal. This experience provided him with valuable international competition experience and the opportunity to represent his country on the world stage.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Pierre-Olivier Joseph comes from a family with deep hockey roots. His father Frantzi Joseph played and coached hockey for many years and is of Haitian descent. His mother France Taillon was a competitive athlete in her youth. This athletic family background provided Pierre-Olivier and his brother Mathieu with a strong foundation for their hockey careers.
Personal Life
Joseph’s older brother Mathieu Joseph is also a professional NHL player. The brothers were previously teammates with the St. Louis Blues in 2024 before Mathieu went on to play for the Los Angeles Kings. The Joseph brothers maintain a close relationship and have supported each other’s careers throughout their professional journeys. Pierre-Olivier is active on social media and can be found on Twitter under the handle @pojoseph15 and on Instagram under @pojoseph.
2025 Season Performance
Pierre-Olivier Joseph entered the 2025 season with the Vancouver Canucks, aiming to solidify his role with his new organization. After playing for three different NHL teams in 2024 alone, Joseph sought stability and the opportunity to contribute regularly to a team’s defensive corps. The Canucks coaching staff evaluated him throughout training camp as they looked to find the right defensive pairings for the upcoming season.
Joseph brought experience from five seasons with the Penguins organization, including a significant amount of AHL playing time and NHL exposure. His ability to log significant minutes and contribute offensively from the blue line made him an attractive option for the Canucks. The team was in a period of transition and was looking for players who could provide reliable two-way play while developing chemistry with their defensive partners.