Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of media.espace.ch
- Name: Roman Josi
- Position: D
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-1
- Weight: 198 lbs
- Birthdate: 1990-06-01
- Eligible for Draft: 2008
- Drafted: 2008
- Hometown: Bern, Switzerland
- Acquired: 2nd round (38th overall), 2008
- Playing In: Pro
Roman Josi
Prospect Grade: 7.0 B (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
As a 16-year-old, Josi recorded 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) in just 33 games for the SC Bern junior team. Instead of rushing him into the big league, the SC Bern management let him refine his skills for one more season while he was called up for three games (one assist) that season.
2007-08: This season was the one in which the much-touted Josi made his full debut on the first team. It has been quite some time since a player with his qualities has come through the youth ranks. Josi made the big splash into the NationalLiga A. With a pair of goals and six assists in 35 games, his debut was considered successful. He spent the season getting used to the speed of the game at the top level. He has been given plenty of opportunities to display his skills on a talent loaded team that dominated the Swiss league this season. Josi locked a spot on the second defensive line on the team, mostly paired with former NHLer Nathan Dempsey. Alongside the veteran, Josi gained valuable lessons. He was often used in both penalty kill and power play situations.
Josi has been a frequent member of both the U18 World Championships (2007 and 2008) as well as the U20 World Championships (2007, 2008 and 2009). He was selected for the 2009 World Championships as an 18-year-old.
HF's July 2009 Q&A with Josi.
2008-09: Josi skated with SC Bern in the Nationalliga A, the top tier league in Switzerland. He scored 7 goals, 17 assists for 24 points in 42 games. Bern also appeared in the Champions Hockey League, where Josi notched 1 goal in 4 games. He represented Switzerland at the Division 1 WJC, scoring 2 goals, 2 assists for 4 points in 4 games. He was named the best defenseman at the Division 1 tournament as the Swiss won gold and clinched a spot at the main WJC the following year. He also played 6 games at the World Championships as an 18-year-old but did not score.
2009-10: Josi appeared in 26 Nationalliga A games with Bern, scoring 9 goals, 12 assists for 21 points. He helped Bern to the NLA championship with 6 goals, 7 assists for 13 points in 15 playoff games, finishing third on the team in playoff points. Josi was an alternate captain for Switzerland's entry at the WJC tournament, scoring 1 goal, 2 assists in 4 games. The defender again suited up for his country at the World Championships, where he scored 1 goal, 2 assists in 7 games.
2010-11: Josi skated in 69 games for the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals as a 20-year-old in his first season playing in North America. Josi was the leading-scorer amongst defensemen for the Admirals with 6 goals and a team-high 34 assists and was -7 with 22 PMs. Milwaukee reached the second round of the playoffs after finishing first in the West Division. Josi had 1 goal with 6 assists with a +4 and 8 PMs in 13 playoff games.
Talent Analysis
Josi is probably the most complete Swiss junior player for quite some time. He is very mature for someone of his age and he displays a high confidence level on the ice. As a result he’s hardly lost in traffic in the Swiss league.
He has a good shot that can become a weapon on the blue line. His passing game is also solid, often setting up break-aways with crisp passes from behind. He should continue to get bigger and become more dominant when going into the corners. At times he seems to shy off in battles.Josi is already quite experienced despite his age. He is rarely seen nervous on the ice and makes the right decisions on the ice no matter what pressure he’s under.
Future
He will compete for a spot on Nashville's roster this season. It wouldn't be surprising to see him in the NHL if he impresses in camp.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: December, 20th 2011
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