Josh Ho-Sang Explained

Josh Ho-Sang
Birth Date:22 January 1996
Birth Place:Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lb:173
Position:Right Wing
Shoots:Right
League:ECHL
Team:Florida Everblades
Former Teams:New York Islanders
Örebro HK
Linköping HC
Salavat Yulaev Ufa
Ntl Team:CAN
Draft:28th overall
Draft Year:2014
Draft Team:New York Islanders
Career Start:2016

Joshua Navarro Ho-Sang (born January 22, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. He recently played for the Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was selected by the New York Islanders in the first round, 28th overall, in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

The Toronto Sun described him in June 2014 as a "singular hockey player of immense talent, caught on an island of discourse." He said of himself: "I'm more emotional than most people. That poses a problem for the hockey world. A lot of players are trained to hold their emotions... I love to dangle. I love to play an offensive game. I love to celebrate when I score."[1]

Early and personal life

Ho-Sang was born in Toronto, Ontario, to a Jamaican father of Chinese and African descent and a Chilean mother of Russian-Jewish and Swedish heritage.[2] [3] He grew up in the Thornhill neighbourhood of the Regional Municipality of York, in the Toronto suburbs.[4] He said he has "always celebrated the Jewish holidays like Chanukah and the High Holidays with family and friends,"[5] as well as Christmas and Easter. When he was 17 years old, Toronto Sun writer Steve Simmons predicted that he "might be better than all" the previous Jewish ice hockey players (which included the then-current Jewish NHL players centre Michael Cammalleri, right winger Mike Brown, left winger Eric Nystrom, and centre Jeff Halpern).[6]

His father, Wayne, is a black Jamaican professional tennis player from Kingston, Jamaica, whose grandfather is Chinese from Hong Kong; he was also a member of the reggae band Fujahtive. His business analyst mother, Ericka, is Jewish and was born in Santiago, Chile, to Russian and Swedish parents.[1] [3] [7] [8] [9] His father immigrated to Canada from Jamaica at the age of 10, and his mother immigrated to Canada from Chile at the age of 12.[8] [10] [11]

His brother Khole is five years his junior.[10] At age 13 in November 2014, Khole was a member of Team Ontario in American football and was slated to play for Canada in the 2015 Snooper Bowl, an international Pop Warner Football competition.[12] As a first degree black belt in taekwondo, he finished second in his category at Nationals in 2014, and was named to Team Ontario and the Canadian national team.[12]

Playing career

He was selected by the Windsor Spitfires in the first round (5th overall) during the 2012 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection.[5] He was rated a top prospect.[13]

In his first season with the Spitfires, Ho-Sang recorded 44 points in 63 games, finishing sixth among OHL rookies.[14] In December 2012, he played for Team Ontario at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge.[5] In five games, he had three goals and two assists.[5]

Ho-Sang skated in the 2014 BMO Top Prospects Game, recording one goal and one assist.[15] On April 5, Ho-Sang received a 15-game suspension (later reduced to six games) for the start of the next season for an illegal hit-from-behind to London Knights' defenceman Zach Bell on March 27. The hit resulted in Bell suffering a broken leg.[16]

Ho-Sang was selected by the New York Islanders in the first round (28th overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Islanders' general manager Garth Snow indicated he was not worried about Ho-Sang fitting in, saying, "He'll fit right in. They shit on me too."[17] [18] Snow also stated "We get the players that we feel can help us win. [And] we don’t give a shit what anyone else thinks."[19] In October 2014, the Islanders signed Ho-Sang to a three-year, entry-level contract.[20]

Ho-Sang was returned to the Spitfires for the 2014–15 season. On November 14, he was traded to the Niagara IceDogs in exchange for Hayden McCool and second-round picks in 2016, 2018 and 2019.[21] He finished the season with 81 points in 60 games.

Ho-Sang was returned to the IceDogs as punishment for being late to the first day of the Islanders' 2015 training camp.[22] In his final season with the IceDogs, Ho-Sang led the team in scoring with 82 points in 66 games. He also recorded 26 points in 17 postseason games; the team lost in four games to the London Knights during the OHL Finals.[23]

Ho-Sang began the 2016–17 season with the Islanders' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. On February 28, 2017, he was called up by the Islanders on emergency conditions but was returned to Bridgeport just a few hours later.[24] Ho-Sang was recalled the following day and made his NHL debut with the Islanders on March 2, 2017, against the Dallas Stars. On March 7, in his fourth NHL game, Ho-Sang scored his first NHL goal, a first-period power play goal against the Edmonton Oilers.[25]

Ho-Sang started the 2017–18 season with the Islanders. On October 25, he was assigned to the Sound Tigers after recording four assists in six games.[26] He was recalled on an emergency basis on November 11, 2017.[27] The emergency basis was terminated and changed to a regular recall on November 16.[28] It was short-lived, however, as he was sent back down to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on December 16, 2017, after recording eight points in 15 games.

After being named the Sound Tigers' Player of the Week on February 17, 2019, Ho-Sang and Michael Dal Colle were recalled to the Islanders on March 5.[29] He was returned to the Sound Tigers on March 8 after sitting as a healthy scratch for two games.[30]

On August 19, 2019, the Islanders re-signed Ho-Sang to a one-year contract extension.[31] However, on September 30 Ho-Sang was placed on waivers by the Islanders.[32] Ho-Sang cleared waivers on October 1, and was assigned to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers to start the 2019-2020 American Hockey League season.[33]

On October 3, 2019, it was reported by Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello that Ho-Sang had requested a trade through his agent.[34] Ho-Sang, despite clearing waivers and being assigned to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, was asked not to report to or play.[35] [36] [37] Ho-Sang missed the first 10 weeks of the 2019–20 season, as Lamoriello attempted to meet his trade request.

Unable to facilitate a trade, Ho-Sang returned to the Islanders organization when he was assigned to the Sound Tigers on December 17, 2019. In 16 games with Bridgeport, Ho-Sang posted 3 goals and 10 points before the Islanders reassigned him to join the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL affiliate to the St. Louis Blues, for the remainder of the season on February 28, 2020.[38]

As a restricted free agent, Ho-Sang was signed by New York to a one-year contract extension on October 28, 2020.[39] Remaining with the Islanders through the off-season leading into the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, Ho-Sang attended training camp before he was reassigned by the Islanders on loan to Swedish top-tier club, Örebro HK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), for the remainder of the season on January 16, 2021.[40] Ho-Sang made just 5 appearances with Örebro, collecting 1 assist, before he was released by the club citing a lack of match fitness on February 10, 2021.[41] Ho-Sang remained in Sweden, agreeing to a loan contract with Linköping HC for the remainder of the season on February 14.[42] On July 28, 2021, Ho-Sang was invited to the Toronto Maple Leafs' 2021–22 training camp on a professional tryout contract (PTO).[43] On October 5, 2021, Ho-Sang signed a standard player contract with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL and was subsequently released by the Leafs from the PTO.[44]

As a free agent from the Marlies, on July 13, 2022, Ho-Sang signed a one-year contract with Russian club Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the KHL for the 2022–23 season.[45]

On March 13, 2024, Ho-Sang signed a contract with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL for the 2023–2024 season.[46] He won the Kelly Cup by the end of the season, with his 17 assists leading all players in the 2024 Kelly Cup playoffs.[47]

Jersey number

Ho-Sang chose to wear sweater #66 for the Islanders as an homage to Mario Lemieux, who, in response to the controversy generated by the choice, said he had no problem with Ho-Sang wearing the number. Ho-Sang defended his choice, arguing that he did not merely pay homage to Lemieux's on-ice prowess but also his contributions to the community of Pittsburgh. "He fought and continues to fight for other people," Ho-Sang said. "He thinks outside himself. For me, that's a man worth looking up to. That's why I wear the number. That's the type of guy who's behind that number, and that's what's so inspiring for me...."[48] He is the second player, after Calgary Flames defenceman T. J. Brodie, to wear the number after Lemieux in a regular season game.[48] [49] At the start of the 2018–19 NHL pre-season Ho-Sang was asked by general manager Lou Lamoriello to change his Islanders jersey number,[50] as Lamoriello has long stood by a policy which generally forbids players from wearing any number higher than 35.[51] Ho-Sang chose to wear #26 instead.

International play

In January 2022, Ho-Sang was selected to play for Team Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics.[52] [53] [54]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Team League GP GP G A Pts PIM
2012–13Windsor SpitfiresOHL63 14 30 44 22
2013–14Windsor SpitfiresOHL67 32 53 85 444 1 2 310
2014–15Windsor SpitfiresOHL11 3 16 19 8
2014–15Niagara IceDogsOHL49 14 48 62 3811 1 15 1618
2015–16Niagara IceDogsOHL66 19 63 82 4417 6 20 26 8
2016–17Bridgeport Sound TigersAHL50 10 26 36 24
2016–17New York IslandersNHL21 4 6 10 12
2017–18New York IslandersNHL22 2 10 12 2
2017–18Bridgeport Sound TigersAHL50 8 23 31 40
2018–19Bridgeport Sound TigersAHL56 8 35 43 185 1 1 2 0
2018–19New York IslandersNHL10 1 1 2 6
2019–20Bridgeport Sound TigersAHL16 3 7 10 0
2019–20San Antonio RampageAHL6 1 2 3 2
2020–21Örebro HKSHL5 0 1 1 2
2020–21Linköping HCSHL4 2 0 2 4
2021–22Toronto MarliesAHL47 16 19 35 24
2022–23Salavat Yulaev UfaKHL1 0 1 1 24 0 0 0 0
2023–24Florida EverbladesECHL11 2 13 15622 1 17 18 16
NHL totals53 7 17 24 20
SHL totals9 2 1 3 6

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2013Canada OntarioU176th53250
2022CanadaOG6th50332
Junior totals53250
Senior totals50332

Awards and honours

HonoursYear
CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game2014[55]
Kelly Cup2024[56]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Steve Simmons (June 24, 2014). "The curious case of controversial NHL prospect Joshua Ho-Sang," Toronto Sun.
  2. Professional Hockey Review: 2014–15; Canadian Hockey League. Jewish Sports Review. January–February 2015 . 9. 107. 4.
  3. News: Feschuk. Dave. Feschuk: Toronto teenager 'the elite of the elite'. January 21, 2018. Toronto Star. October 21, 2011.
  4. Web site: Josh Ho-Sang; Niagara IceDogs. ontariohockeyleague.com. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150122080447/http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/roster/show/id/10425. January 22, 2015. mdy-all.
  5. Web site: Joshua takes hockey development in his stride . February 26, 2013 . Jack Borenstein . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150124010737/http://www.jewishtribune.ca/sports/2013/02/26/joshua-takes-hockey-development-in-his-stride . January 24, 2015 . mdy-all .
  6. Web site: The greatest oxymoron in U.S. sports? Jews and professional ice hockey; Hockey may have no iconic Jewish athletes like other major sports, but the likely first-round draft pick Joshua Ho-Sang could one day spell a change. . January 21, 2014. Hillel Kutler. Haaretz.
  7. Web site: Meet Josh Ho-Sang. . Dov Ivry. June 16, 2014.
  8. Craig Custance (June 25, 2014). Web site: NHL – Josh Ho-Sang is ultra-skilled and well rounded, but also frustrating. ESPN. June 25, 2014.
  9. Jeff Z. Klein and Allan Kreda (June 28, 2014). "Islanders Take Brash Player, Ignoring Doubts of Other Teams", The New York Times.
  10. Bob Duff (November 14, 2014). Web site: Being Josh Ho-Sang means doing the unexpected. The Windsor Star.
  11. Web site: Joshua Ho-Sang of Windsor Spitfires makes name with flair for dramatic. NHL.com . May 1, 2014 . Mike G. Morreale.
  12. Web site: Younger Ho-Sang also elite athlete. November 14, 2014. Bob Duff. The Windsor Star.
  13. News: NHL draft tracker: Josh Ho-Sang, Windsor Spitfires . . Neate Sager. February 27, 2014 . January 26, 2015.
  14. Web site: Spitfires' Ho-Sang signs with Islanders . OHL Network. October 4, 2014.
  15. News: Team Orr beats Team Cherry in CHL Top Prospects Game. Laurence Heinen . . January 5, 2014 . June 27, 2014.
  16. Web site: Ho-Sang suspended 15 games for hit on Knights defenceman . Windsor Star . April 7, 2014.
  17. Web site: Live updates from the NHL draft. Q.
  18. Web site: Isles GM Snow has meltdown at draft. NY Daily News. June 28, 2014 .
  19. Web site: NHL Draft 2014: Panthers' turn on stage a showstopper. Sporting News.
  20. Web site: Josh Ho-Sang . CapFriendly.com.
  21. Web site: IceDogs Acquire Ho-Sang from Spits . Niagara IceDogs . November 14, 2014.
  22. Web site: Lewis . Scott . Isles GM Snow on Ho-Sang: 'Enough with the bull' . Sportsnet . September 18, 2015.
  23. Web site: London Knights win Robertson Cup . Ontario Hockey League . May 11, 2016.
  24. Web site: Islanders Recall Ho-Sang. NHL.com. March 2, 2017. March 1, 2017.
  25. Web site: Ho-Sang gets first NHL goal as Islanders topple Oilers. Canadian Press. March 7, 2017. Sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. 3 December 2017.
  26. Web site: Islanders forward Josh Ho-Sang reassigned to AHL Bridgeport. Sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. 16 December 2017. 25 October 2017.
  27. Web site: Associated Press. Josh Ho-Sang recalled by Islanders on emergency basis. Sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. 16 December 2017. 11 November 2017.
  28. Web site: Josh Ho-Sang's emergency recall terminated, changed to regular recall. sny.tv. SportsNet New York. 16 December 2017. 16 November 2017.
  29. Web site: DAL COLLE, HO-SANG EMERGENCY RECALLED BY THE ISLANDERS . soundtigers.com . March 6, 2019 . March 5, 2019.
  30. Web site: Wright . Cory . Isles Day to Day: Dal Colle Changed To Regular Recall . NHL.com . March 8, 2019 . March 8, 2019.
  31. Web site: Ho-Sang Agrees To One-Year Contract . New York Islanders . August 19, 2019 . August 19, 2019.
  32. Web site: Leahy . Sean . Ho-Sang, DeSmith, Sprong headline waiver wire - ProHockeyTalk | NBC Sports . Nhl.nbcsports.com . 2019-09-30 . 2020-01-29.
  33. Web site: Islanders' Ho-Sang, Ducks' Sprong among players to clear waivers. Teague. Matt. theScore.com. October 2019 . 2019-10-02.
  34. Web site: Lamoriello: Ho-Sang requests trade. . October 3, 2019. October 5, 2019.
  35. Web site: Hurricanes avoid Josh Ho-Sang . cardiaccanes.com . October 22, 2019 . October 22, 2019.
  36. Web site: Islanders' Ho-Sang hasn't reported to Bridgeport . eyesonisles.com . October 3, 2019 . October 3, 2019.
  37. Web site: Ho-Sang hoping to be traded — The Fourth Period . Thefourthperiod.com . 2019-10-03 . 2020-01-29.
  38. Web site: Islanders reassign Ho-Sang to Blues affiliate . . February 28, 2020 . February 28, 2020.
  39. Web site: Islanders sign Greer, Ho-Sang and two others . . October 28, 2020 . October 28, 2020.
  40. Web site: Welcome Josh Ho-Sang . . January 16, 2021 . January 16, 2021 . Swedish.
  41. Web site: Orebro and Josh Ho-Sang part ways . . February 10, 2021 . February 10, 2021 . Swedish.
  42. Web site: . Josh Ho-Sang joins LHC . February 14, 2021 . February 14, 2021 . Swedish.
  43. Web site: Maple Leafs add Ho-Sang on PTO . . July 28, 2021 . July 28, 2021.
  44. Web site: Maple Leafs release Josh Ho-Sang from PTO; signs deal with Marlies.
  45. Web site: Newcomer Josh Ho-Sang comes to Salavat . . July 13, 2022 . July 13, 2022 . Russian.
  46. Web site: How Josh Ho-Sang's tumultuous NHL tenure influenced his new rap album .
  47. News: Former first-round pick Josh Ho-Sang's comeback is about more than hockey . Rinkside (EliteProspects). June 8, 2024.
  48. Web site: Mario Lemieux OK with Joshua Ho-Sang wearing No. 66 . NHL.com . March 24, 2017.
  49. Web site: Joshua Ho-Sang says wearing No. 66 'ultimate respect' . NHL.com . March 7, 2017 . November 5, 2017.
  50. Web site: Wilkins . Cory . Islanders' Ho-Sang has new jersey number as Lamoriello makes his mark . thescore.com . September 24, 2018 . September 8, 2018.
  51. Web site: Stromberg . Mike . After Lou Lamoriello's Exit, It Appears Many of His Quirks Will Leave With Him . Allaboutthejersey.com . 9 March 2019 . 5 August 2015.
  52. Web site: Canada unveils non-NHL Olympic hockey roster with pro experience, young talent. 25 January 2022. www.cbc.ca/. CBC Sports. 25 January 2022.
  53. Web site: Team Canada's 25-player men's hockey roster nominated for Beijing 2022. Nichols. Paula. 25 January 2022. www.olympic.ca/. Canadian Olympic Committee. 25 January 2022.
  54. News: Stephens. Mike. 25 January 2022. Canada Names Men's 2022 Olympic Hockey Roster. The Hockey News. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 25 January 2022.
  55. News: Ekblad, Ho-Sang to showcase talents . Windsor Star . Jim Parker. January 15, 2014 . January 15, 2014.
  56. Web site: HISTORY MADE; EVERBLADES WIN THIRD STRAIGHT KELLY CUP. Florida Everblades. June 8, 2024.