Josh Harding

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Josh Harding
Josh Harding 2011-2.jpg
Harding with the Minnesota Wild in 2011
Born (1984-06-18) June 18, 1984 (age 37)
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 197 lb (89 kg; 14 st 1 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Right
Played for Minnesota Wild
National team  Canada
NHL Draft 38th overall, 2002
Minnesota Wild
Playing career 2004–2015

Joshua Joel Harding (born June 18, 1984) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Minnesota Wild.

Playing career[]

Harding played three seasons of junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Regina Pats and Brandon Wheat Kings. He won the Del Wilson and Four Broncos Memorial Trophies in 2003 as the WHL's top goaltender and most outstanding player respectively.[1] He represented Canada at the 2004 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, winning a silver medal.[2] He was selected in the second round, 38th overall, of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Wild. He began his professional career with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL), the Wild's top minor league affiliate. In the 2004–05 season, his rookie season with the Aeros, he posted a 21–16–3 record with a 2.01 goals against average (GAA).[2]

Harding was called-up to the Wild on March 8, 2006, after goalie Dwayne Roloson was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. Before being called up, Harding had a 27–8–0 record with a .923% save percentage (second best in the AHL) in the Aeros' 2005–06 season. He finished the season with a 29–8–0 record for the Aeros. He appeared in three games with the Wild in 2005–06, going 2–1–0 with a 2.59 GAA.

Harding began the 2006–07 season with the Aeros, compiling a 17–15–4 record before being recalled by the Wild on January 24, 2007. Harding recorded a 30-save, 5–0 shutout against the Oilers on March 1, 2007, the third shutout of his career.

On October 14, 2007, Harding stopped 37 shots in his first game of the season, shutting-out the Anaheim Ducks 2–0. He compiled an 11–15 record in the 2007–08 NHL season, recording a 2.94 GAA. He played less during the 2008–09 season, going 3–11 but posting an improved 2.21 GAA.

On September 24, 2010, Harding tore the Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee in a pre-season game away against the St. Louis Blues that forced him to miss the entire 2010–11 season.[3] Despite this, on July 1, 2011, Harding signed a one-year contract extension with the Wild.[4]

On June 19, 2012, Harding signed a three-year, $5.7 million contract extension with Minnesota.[5] On November 28, 2012, during the 2012–13 NHL lockout, it was reported that Harding had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.[6][7] He kept the ailment (which can cause blurred vision and affect balance and coordination) a secret for over a month after doctors discovered the disease in late September 2012.[8] In his first game back post-diagnosis, on January 20, 2013, Harding stopped all 24 shots he faced in a 1–0 shutout win over the Dallas Stars.[9]

During the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Presidents' Trophy-winning Chicago Blackhawks as the eighth seed, Wild starting goaltender Niklas Bäckström injured himself during warm ups before Game 1.[10] Harding would replace him in a 2–1 overtime loss, stopping 35 shots. This brought praise from his teammates as well as opponents for his incredible play despite being affected by multiple sclerosis.[11] The Wild would lose the series 4–1, but Harding would win the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in recognition of his efforts.

Harding enjoyed an exceptional beginning of the 2013-14 season, leading the league in goals against average and save percentage through December. But his season ended when he had to be placed on the injured reserve due to a modification of his MS treatment protocol.[12]

Harding was expected to compete for the starting goaltender position for the Wild in the 2014–15 season, but a broken foot suffered in the off-season derailed those plans.[13] Months later, upon being activated from injured reserve, the Wild placed Harding on waivers and assigned him to their AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild.[14] In his second game of the season playing for Iowa, Harding suffered from dehydration, which was related to his multiple sclerosis, and had to be hospitalized.[15] He subsequently retired from professional hockey and currently works as a high school goalie instructor for the Edina Hornets in Edina, Minnesota.[16]

International play[]

Harding made his international debut at the junior level for Canada in the 2004 World Juniors, helping claim a championship silver medal. At the completion of the 2008–09 season, Harding was selected to make his full senior debut with the Canada senior team at the 2009 IIHF World Championship. He helped guide the Canadians to capture a silver medal.

Personal life[]

Harding was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November 2012 while training during the 2012–13 NHL lockout.[17] Harding lives in Edina with his wife Sara and their two children. Through his marriage, Harding has a stepson.[18]

Career statistics[]

Regular season and playoffs[]

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T/OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2001–02 Regina Pats WHL 42 27 13 1 2389 95 4 2.39 .906 6 2 4 325 16 0 2.95 .890
2002–03 Regina Pats WHL 57 18 24 13 3385 155 3 2.75 .914 5 1 4 321 13 0 2.43 .939
2003–04 Regina Pats WHL 28 12 14 2 1665 67 2 2.41 .927 — — — — — — — —
2003–04 Brandon Wheat Kings WHL 27 13 11 3 1612 65 5 2.42 .920 11 5 6 660 36 0 3.27 .897
2004–05 Houston Aeros AHL 42 21 16 3 2387 80 4 2.01 .930 2 0 2 119 8 0 4.03 .893
2005–06 Houston Aeros AHL 38 29 8 0 2215 99 2 2.68 .919 8 4 4 476 30 0 3.79 .886
2005–06 Minnesota Wild NHL 3 2 1 0 185 8 1 2.59 .904 — — — — — — — —
2006–07 Houston Aeros AHL 38 17 16 4 2270 94 1 2.48 .920 — — — — — — — —
2006–07 Minnesota Wild NHL 7 3 2 1 361 7 1 1.16 .960 — — — — — — — —
2007–08 Minnesota Wild NHL 29 11 15 2 1571 77 1 2.94 .908 1 0 0 20 0 0 0.00 1.000
2008–09 Minnesota Wild NHL 19 3 9 1 870 32 0 2.21 .929 — — — — — — — —
2009–10 Minnesota Wild NHL 25 9 12 0 1300 66 1 3.05 .900 — — — — — — — —
2011–12 Minnesota Wild NHL 34 13 12 4 1855 81 2 2.62 .917 — — — — — — — —
2012–13 Minnesota Wild NHL 5 1 1 0 185 10 1 3.24 .863 5 1 4 245 12 0 2.94 .911
2012–13 Houston Aeros AHL 2 1 1 0 100 5 0 3.00 .918 — — — — — — — —
2013–14 Minnesota Wild NHL 29 18 7 3 1668 46 3 1.65 .933 — — — — — — — —
2014–15 Iowa Wild AHL 2 0 1 1 107 6 0 3.37 .920 — — — — — — — —
NHL totals 151 60 59 11 7994 327 10 2.45 .918 6 1 4 265 12 0 2.72 .918

Awards and honours[]

Award Year
WHL East Second All-Star Team 2001-02
WHL Player of the Month (December) 2002–03
WHL East First All-Star Team 2002–03
WHL Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player of the Year) 2002–03
WHL Del Wilson Trophy (Goaltender of the Year) 2002–03
AHL All-Star Game (did not play due to injury) 2005–06
NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy 2012–13

Records[]

References[]

  1. ^ Flett, Cory; Watts, Jessie (eds.). 2009–10 WHL Guide. Western Hockey League. pp. 206, 209.
  2. ^ a b "Josh Harding player profile". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  3. ^ "Harding tears right ACL and MCL, likely out for season (updated)". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
  4. ^ "Wild sign backup goalie Harding". Toronto Sun. July 1, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  5. ^ "Wild Re-Signs Harding". Minnesota Wild. June 19, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  6. ^ "Wild's Harding diagnosed with multiple sclerosis". National Hockey League. November 28, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  7. ^ "Wild's Harding starts battle with MS". Minnesota Star Tribune. November 28, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  8. ^ "Wild goalie Josh Harding diagnosed with multiple sclerosis". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. November 29, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  9. ^ "Josh Harding wins 1-0 in first game since MS diagnosis". USAToday. January 20, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  10. ^ "Niklas Backstrom injured during warmups". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  11. ^ "Wild goalie Josh Harding earns Blackhawks praise". Toronto Sun. May 1, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  12. ^ "Josh Harding placed on injured reserve, Johan Gustafsson recalled". Star Tribune. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  13. ^ "Josh Harding suspended, Darcy Kuemper re-signed". CBS Sports. September 21, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  14. ^ "Harding assigned to Iowa in return from injury". Minnesota Star Tribune. December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  15. ^ "Josh Harding hospitalized over weekend for dehydration". Minnesota Star Tribune. December 9, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  16. ^ "Retired Wild goalie Josh Harding at peace with MS, abrupt end to NHL career". March 21, 2017.
  17. ^ "Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding diagnosed with MS". USA Today. November 29, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  18. ^ Murphy, Brian (March 21, 2017). "Retired Wild goalie Josh Harding at peace with MS, abrupt end to NHL career". Twin Cities Pioneer Press. Retrieved July 25, 2018.

External links[]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Winner of the WHL Del Wilson Trophy
2003 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Winner of the WHL Four Broncos Memorial Trophy
2003 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
2013 		Succeeded by
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