Josh Healey (born July 12, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League (AHL). He is also the founder of The Sports Aux hockey recruiting platform.[1]

Josh Healey
Born (1994-07-12) July 12, 1994 (age 30)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 196 lb (89 kg; 14 st 0 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
AHL team
Former teams
Free agent
Stockton Heat
Milwaukee Admirals
Chicago Wolves
San Diego Gulls
Rockford IceHogs
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2017–present

Playing career

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Healey began his career in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), playing parts of three seasons for the Sherwood Park Crusaders between 2010 and 2013. While Healey went unselected in the NHL Entry Draft, he attracted American college interest and committed to Ohio State University to play for the Buckeyes beginning with the 2013–14 Division I season.[2]

Healey played with Ohio State for four years, emerging as one of the top players on the Big Ten team. He was named to the Big Ten's year-end all-star teams twice: to the first team in 2015–16 Division I season, and to the second team in 2016–17. During his final season with the team, on February 13, 2017, Healey was suspended two games by the Big Ten for a high hit against the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. One NHL scout remarked of Healey that he "hits too hard for college hockey," but that "his game will be better suited for pro."[3] Just over a month later, Healey turned professional by signing a two-year entry-level deal with the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL).[4]

At the conclusion of his entry-level deal with the Flames, Healey was not tendered a qualifying offer on June 25, 2019, enabling him to become a free agent.[5] He was signed to a one-year AHL contract with the Milwaukee Admirals, affiliate to the Nashville Predators on August 2, 2019.[6]

Healey continued to play through Predators affiliations, joining the Chicago Wolves for the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season. After 20 regular season contests, Healey was signed by the Nashville Predators to add depth to the blueline on a two-way contract for the remainder of the year on April 11, 2021.[7]

With the AHL season completed, Healey continued within the Predators organization, returning to the Milwaukee Admirals on a one-year AHL contract on May 19, 2021.[8]

Moving to the San Diego Gulls for the 2022–23 season, Healey made 12 appearances as an alternate captain with the club before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.

On July 4, 2023, Healey continued his tenure in the AHL, agreeing to a one-year contract with the Rockford IceHogs, the primary affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, for the 2023–24 season.[9] He appeared in 48 games for the team, recording 1 assist.

Personal life

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Healey was born to Tim and Pam Healey and has a younger sister, Jess. Jess is a former professional ice hockey player. His grandfather, Rich Healey, is a former professional ice hockey player who played one NHL game for the Detroit Red Wings.[10]

Career statistics

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11 Sherwood Park Crusaders AJHL 1 0 0 0 2
2011-12 Sherwood Park Crusaders AJHL 47 2 10 12 59 9 0 2 2 2
2012–13 Sherwood Park Crusaders AJHL 53 10 13 23 126 10 1 3 4 11
2013–14 Ohio State University B1G 33 1 4 5 18
2014–15 Ohio State University B1G 32 2 7 9 58
2015–16 Ohio State University B1G 33 5 16 21 66
2016–17 Ohio State University B1G 35 4 21 25 70
2016–17 Stockton Heat AHL 2 0 0 0 0
2017–18 Stockton Heat AHL 50 0 4 4 24
2018–19 Stockton Heat AHL 55 1 10 11 64
2019–20 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 30 0 3 3 72
2020–21 Chicago Wolves AHL 33 2 4 6 70
2021–22 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 57 1 7 8 89 6 0 0 0 6
2022–23 San Diego Gulls AHL 12 0 0 0 37
2023–24 Rockford IceHogs AHL 48 0 1 1 97
AHL totals 287 4 29 33 453 6 0 0 0 6

References

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  1. ^ "The Sports Aux". Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  2. ^ "AJHL | League News Archives". www.ajhl.ca. Archived from the original on July 15, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  3. ^ "Healey stands out in thin college free agent class - Article - TSN". TSN. February 13, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  4. ^ "Flames sign college defenceman Josh Healey to entry-level deal - Sportsnet.ca". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  5. ^ "Flames provide qualifying offers to eight players". Calgary Flames. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  6. ^ "Admirals sign Josh Healey to one-year AHL contract". Milwaukee Admirals. August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  7. ^ "Predators' Josh Healey signs two-way contract". CBS Sports. April 11, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  8. ^ "Josh Healey inks deal for 2021-22". Milwaukee Admirals. May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  9. ^ "IceHogs sign Healey to AHL deal". American Hockey League. July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  10. ^ "Josh Healey". ohiostatebuckeyes.com. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
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