Pierre-Olivier Joseph

January 2021 – Joseph has once again made the Penguins extended roster. He joins the six-man taxi squad, an indication that the organization feels he’s very close to making the jump to the pros. With the instability of the Penguins bottom pair, he should see some ice time this year. Kyle Watson

July 2020 – Joseph locked himself a spot on the Penguins postseason roster and will travel with the team to Toronto for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Clare McManus

June 2020 – After a strong performance this season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the Penguins added Joseph to the black ace playoff roster. He will practice with fellow black ace prospect, Samuel Poulin. Clare McManus

April 2020 – Joseph had a solid first year with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He showed flashes of offense putting up three goals and 14 assists for 17 points in 52 games. Had a slower start to the season due to an illness, but in the last 11 games before the pause, Joseph put up two goals and six assists for eight points. He also played on the top defensive pairings, playing an important role for the baby Penguins. Clare McManus

January 2020 – Regaining his strength after mononucleosis, the talented AHL rookie blueliner began to show what he can do when healthy. After registering just one assist in his first six pro appearances, Joseph has gained a goal and five assists in his next 17 outings. He has also accumulated 19 penalty minutes in 23 games, perhaps indicating he won’t be pushed around. The determined young man had come to training camp stronger and heavier, although he still resembles a pole vault. Joseph remains one of the few bright jewels in Pittsburgh’s system. Mark Allan

November 2019 – Joseph’s pro debut has begun slowly with only six appearances and one assist in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s first 17 games. Eight defensemen have played in more WBS games than the promising 20-year-old prospect and the team is 10-5-1-1. His short-term situation is unlikely to change unless one of two blueliners ahead of him get hurt or he’s sent to the ECHL for the playing time he needs to develop. Mark Allan

September 2019 – Joseph was one of 17 players assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL in the second round of cuts from Pittsburgh’s training camp. The talented 20-year-old has a bright future in the NHL, especially once he fills out his 6-2, 161-pound frame, but Pittsburgh currently has no room for a newcomer on the blueline. The organization’s braintrust will watch his minor pro debut with keen interest. Mark Allan

June 2019 – The 19-year-old was traded with Alex Galchenyuk from the Coyotes to Pittsburgh for Phil Kessel, Dane Birks and a fourth-round pick. Joseph’s mobility and transition game are excellent, which helps him to jump into the play when his team has the puck and run a power play. It also allows him to react defensively, helped by an active stick and a solid hockey IQ. His challenge will be to strengthen his 6-2, 161-pound frame. He’ll have time in the AHL to accomplish that and dial back a habit of taking bad penalties. He still has three years on his entry-level deal. Mark Allan

December 2018 – It’s been a tough couple weeks for Joseph. After many expected the mobile blue-liner to be a major part of Team Canada for the 2019 WJC, he was instead a early cut from camp. About two weeks later, now it been reported that the Isles captain has been traded to Drummondville Voltigeurs from Charlottetown for 18-year-old defenseman Xavier Bernard and some top draft picks in return. So far this campaign, Joseph has seven goals and 25 points in 27 games with Charlottetown, good for sixth among defenseman scoring in the QMJHL. Keith Duggan

October 2018- After a solid camp with the Coyotes, Joseph heads back to Charlottetown for his final and hopefully most successful year. The Isles captain has played a key role in helping the squad reach the QMJHL semifinal the past two years and hopes to see the team reach a higher goal this season. Also he’s expected to have a big role with Canada’s team for the 2019 World Junior Championship. Keith Duggan

July 2018- Joseph put together an excellent 2017-18 season, playing a strong all around game for the Charlottetown Islanders. The Islanders were expected to finish as one of the worst teams in the QMJHL after losing veterans and bringing in young and inexperienced players. Instead they finished ninth in the regular season and advanced to the playoff semifinals before falling to regular season champ Blainville-Boisbriand in game seven. Joseph as team captain was given much of the credit for his leadership off and on the ice and strong play.  He finished with 13 goals and 46 points in 63 games but the points don’t tell the whole story as Joseph played a ton in all situations. His defensive game improved from the previous year while he still excelled at transitioning the puck up the ice quickly. Joseph still needs to put some weight on his slight frame, weighing just 168 pounds, gaining on two pounds from when Joseph was drafted last June. He lives with the team nutritionist and has tried very hard to put weight on but with little success. Joseph will play 2018-19 in the QMJHL for one last year and should be a big part of Team Canada’s squad for the 2019 World Junior Tournament. Keith Duggan