Josh Gorges is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on August 14, 1984, in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
Gorges began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Kelowna Rockets in 2000. He played for the Rockets for four seasons, during which he was named the team's captain and helped them win the Memorial Cup in 2004. In 2002, he was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft.
Gorges made his NHL debut with the Sharks in 2005, but he played only two games with the team before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens in 2007. He spent the next six seasons with the Canadiens, during which he established himself as a reliable and hard-working defenseman. He was known for his shot-blocking ability, his physical play, and his leadership skills. He was named an alternate captain of the Canadiens in 2011.
In 2014, Gorges was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, where he played for the next four seasons. He continued to be a solid defenseman for the Sabres, but he also struggled with injuries during his time with the team. In 2018, he was traded to the St. Louis Blues, but he played only 18 games with the team before being sidelined by a hip injury.
Gorges announced his retirement from professional hockey in January 2019, citing his hip injury as the main reason for his decision. He played a total of 783 NHL games over his career, scoring 17 goals and 107 assists for a total of 124 points. He also played in 68 playoff games, recording 5 assists.
Off the ice, Gorges was known for his charitable work and his involvement in the community. He was a frequent visitor to children's hospitals and was involved in various fundraising events for charities in both Montreal and Buffalo.
Overall, Josh Gorges had a successful career as an NHL defenseman, earning a reputation as a hard-working and reliable player. He was respected by his teammates and opponents alike for his toughness and his leadership skills. While injuries ultimately cut his career short, he will be remembered as a player who gave his all on the ice and made a positive impact off the ice as well.
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