Josh Gorges
Encyclopedia
Josh Gorges is a professional ice hockey
player currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens
of the National Hockey League
. He is of German ancestry as his grandparents immigrated from Germany to Canada.
by San Jose in 2002. 2005–06 was his first season in the NHL
. In 2004–05
, he set the Cleveland Barons record for the fastest goal from the start of a game (20 seconds).
He played his junior hockey with the Kelowna Rockets
of the WHL
, where he helped the Rockets to a Memorial Cup
championship in 2004
as their captain. He was also the captain for the WHL in the Canada-Russia challenge in November 2003. Gorges was also a member of Team Canada at the 2004 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
, where he won a silver medal.
In 2003, NHL.com wrote an article about him, praising him for his work ethic and for exceeding expectations at every level. Hockeysfuture called him "a solid skater with adequate speed" who "is a good puckmoving defenceman who's effective on the power play with a decent point shot and playmaking abilities". What Gorges lacked in size and strength, he made up for with his discreet and efficient abilities. Hockeysfuture projected him as a future #3 or #4 defenceman.
Upon his arrival in San Jose, Gorges had some success early on as a reserve defenseman. However, as he was called on to play more minutes, he struggled. Many attributed his lack of success to his small size and distinct lack of strength, especially a problem in the more physical Western Conference
where forwards like Ryan Getzlaf
and Jarome Iginla
could manhandle Gorges.
On February 25, 2007, Gorges was traded to the Montreal Canadiens alongside a 2007
first round pick (Max Pacioretty
) for Craig Rivet
and a 2008 fifth round pick (Jason Demers
).
On July 9, 2008, Gorges signed a three-year contract worth US$3.3 million with the Canadiens.
Gorges scored his first NHL goal against the Detroit Red Wings
on January 4, 2007, and didn't score again until November 24, 2008 against the New York Islanders
, making it his first goal in a Canadiens uniform.
Gorges fought Patrice Bergeron
on April 18, 2009 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals in Bergeron's first, and so far only NHL fight. Gorges reached out and hit Bergeron in the jaw, they threw their gloves off at center ice and Gorges was dropped with two vicious left hands from Bergeron. This was seen as a huge motivator for Boston in the series.
Gorges is nickname
d "The Boss", as in Josh "The Boss" Gorges.
At every game, right before he steps on the ice, Gorges does the Sign of the Cross
.
On February 10, 2010, during a game against the Washington Capitals
, Gorges was hit on the left side of the head by a slap shot off Mike Green. Gorges remained motionless on the ice for several minutes, with his head bleeding. He eventually was helped up by team doctors and helped to the bench. The Canadiens eventually won the game 6-5 in OT
to end the Capitals 14-game win streak. Gorges skated in practice the next day and was quoted as saying "Unless something happens in the next 24 hours, I’ll be in the lineup against the Flyers "
Gorges was widely praised for his performances in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs
, with Don Cherry
declaring he "should be (Canadiens) captain; if they are ever going to have a captain; this guy is the captain"
On February 19, 2011, Gorges had undergone successful reconstruction surgery on his injured right knee and missed the remainder of the 2010-11 season as a result.
On July 22, 2011, Gorges signed a 1 year contract with the Montreal Canadiens worth US$2.5 million.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. He is of German ancestry as his grandparents immigrated from Germany to Canada.
Playing career
After going undrafted, Gorges was signed as a free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
by San Jose in 2002. 2005–06 was his first season in the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. In 2004–05
2004–05 AHL season
The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season...
, he set the Cleveland Barons record for the fastest goal from the start of a game (20 seconds).
He played his junior hockey with the Kelowna Rockets
Kelowna Rockets
The Kelowna Rockets are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Rockets play in the Western Hockey League , out of the Canadian Hockey League . They play their home games at Prospera Place....
of the WHL
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
, where he helped the Rockets to a Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
championship in 2004
2004 Memorial Cup
The 2004 Memorial Cup occurred May 15–23 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia. It featured the host team, the Kelowna Rockets as well as the winners of the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League which were the Guelph Storm, Gatineau...
as their captain. He was also the captain for the WHL in the Canada-Russia challenge in November 2003. Gorges was also a member of Team Canada at the 2004 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
2004 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 2004 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was held between December 26, 2003 and January 5, 2004 in Helsinki and Hämeenlinna, Finland...
, where he won a silver medal.
In 2003, NHL.com wrote an article about him, praising him for his work ethic and for exceeding expectations at every level. Hockeysfuture called him "a solid skater with adequate speed" who "is a good puckmoving defenceman who's effective on the power play with a decent point shot and playmaking abilities". What Gorges lacked in size and strength, he made up for with his discreet and efficient abilities. Hockeysfuture projected him as a future #3 or #4 defenceman.
Upon his arrival in San Jose, Gorges had some success early on as a reserve defenseman. However, as he was called on to play more minutes, he struggled. Many attributed his lack of success to his small size and distinct lack of strength, especially a problem in the more physical Western Conference
Western Conference (NHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
where forwards like Ryan Getzlaf
Ryan Getzlaf
Ryan Getzlaf is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is a centre and the captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . He grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and he played junior hockey with the Calgary Hitmen...
and Jarome Iginla
Jarome Iginla
Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis...
could manhandle Gorges.
On February 25, 2007, Gorges was traded to the Montreal Canadiens alongside a 2007
2007 NHL Entry Draft
The 2007 NHL Entry Draft was the 45th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted at Nationwide Arena in the city of Columbus, Ohio, United States on June 22, 2007. The draft consisted of seven rounds with rounds two through seven taking place on June 23, 2007...
first round pick (Max Pacioretty
Max Pacioretty
Max Pacioretty is an American professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . He was called up from the American Hockey League for the second time on December 12, 2010...
) for Craig Rivet
Craig Rivet
Craig A. Rivet is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL. He has previously played for the Montreal Canadiens, San Jose Sharks, Buffalo Sabres, and Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League....
and a 2008 fifth round pick (Jason Demers
Jason Demers
Jason Demers is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman who plays for the San Jose Sharks in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
).
On July 9, 2008, Gorges signed a three-year contract worth US$3.3 million with the Canadiens.
Gorges scored his first NHL goal against the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
on January 4, 2007, and didn't score again until November 24, 2008 against the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, making it his first goal in a Canadiens uniform.
Gorges fought Patrice Bergeron
Patrice Bergeron
Patrice Bergeron is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain currently playing for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League...
on April 18, 2009 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals in Bergeron's first, and so far only NHL fight. Gorges reached out and hit Bergeron in the jaw, they threw their gloves off at center ice and Gorges was dropped with two vicious left hands from Bergeron. This was seen as a huge motivator for Boston in the series.
Gorges is nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
d "The Boss", as in Josh "The Boss" Gorges.
At every game, right before he steps on the ice, Gorges does the Sign of the Cross
Sign of the cross
The Sign of the Cross , or crossing oneself, is a ritual hand motion made by members of many branches of Christianity, often accompanied by spoken or mental recitation of a trinitarian formula....
.
On February 10, 2010, during a game against the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
, Gorges was hit on the left side of the head by a slap shot off Mike Green. Gorges remained motionless on the ice for several minutes, with his head bleeding. He eventually was helped up by team doctors and helped to the bench. The Canadiens eventually won the game 6-5 in OT
Overtime (ice hockey)
Overtime is a method of determining the winner and loser of an ice hockey match when the scores are tied after regulation. The two main methods are the overtime period and the shootout.-Overtime periods:...
to end the Capitals 14-game win streak. Gorges skated in practice the next day and was quoted as saying "Unless something happens in the next 24 hours, I’ll be in the lineup against the Flyers "
Gorges was widely praised for his performances in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs
2010 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 14, 2010, after the 2009–10 NHL regular season. The Finals ended on June 9, 2010, with the Chicago Blackhawks defeating the Philadelphia Flyers four games to two to win their fourth championship and their first since 1961...
, with Don Cherry
Don Cherry
Don Cherry may refer to:* Don Cherry hockey player, coach, and commentator* Don Cherry , trumpeter* Don Cherry...
declaring he "should be (Canadiens) captain; if they are ever going to have a captain; this guy is the captain"
On February 19, 2011, Gorges had undergone successful reconstruction surgery on his injured right knee and missed the remainder of the 2010-11 season as a result.
On July 22, 2011, Gorges signed a 1 year contract with the Montreal Canadiens worth US$2.5 million.
Awards
- 20042004 Memorial CupThe 2004 Memorial Cup occurred May 15–23 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia. It featured the host team, the Kelowna Rockets as well as the winners of the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League which were the Guelph Storm, Gatineau...
: Memorial CupMemorial CupThe Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
- George Parsons TrophyGeorge Parsons TrophyThe George Parsons Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged to be the most sportsmanlike at the Memorial Cup ice hockey tournament. It was first awarded in 1973. The trophy is named for George Parsons, a former OHA and NHL player whose career was ended prematurely in 1939 by an eye...
(Most Sportsmanlike Player) - 2003–04: WHLWestern Hockey LeagueThe Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
- West First All-Star Team - 20042004 World Junior Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 2004 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was held between December 26, 2003 and January 5, 2004 in Helsinki and Hämeenlinna, Finland...
: Junior World ChampionshipsWorld Junior Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world...
- Silver medal - 2004–052004–05 AHL seasonThe 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season...
: Cleveland Barons rookie of the year - 2004–052004–05 AHL seasonThe 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season...
: Cleveland Barons Rubbermaid “Player of the Year” (along with Doug Murray)
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2000–01 | Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Rockets The Kelowna Rockets are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Rockets play in the Western Hockey League , out of the Canadian Hockey League . They play their home games at Prospera Place.... |
WHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... |
57 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 24 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 2001–02 | Kelowna Rockets | WHL | 72 | 7 | 34 | 41 | 74 | 15 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 8 | ||
| 2002–03 | Kelowna Rockets | WHL | 54 | 11 | 48 | 59 | 76 | 19 | 3 | 17 | 20 | 16 | ||
| 2003–04 | Kelowna Rockets | WHL | 62 | 11 | 31 | 42 | 38 | 17 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 6 | ||
| 2004–05 2004–05 AHL season The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
Cleveland Barons | AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
20 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | San Jose Sharks San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 49 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 31 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 2005–06 2005–06 AHL season The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.... |
Cleveland Barons | AHL | 18 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 47 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 2006–07 AHL season The 2006–07 AHL season was the 71st season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs won their first Calder Cup, defeating the defending champions, the Hershey Bears in the finals.... |
Worcester Sharks Worcester Sharks The Worcester Sharks are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . The franchise is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and play their home games at the DCU Center in Downtown Worcester. The Sharks and the city of Worcester hosted the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic.-History:On... |
AHL | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... |
NHL | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 62 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 32 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 81 | 4 | 19 | 23 | 37 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 82 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 39 | 19 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 14 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 36 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 364 | 9 | 50 | 59 | 183 | 46 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 25 | ||||