Josh Mahura Explained

Josh Mahura
Birth Date:5 May 1998
Birth Place:St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lbs:192
Position:Defence
Shoots:Left
League:NHL
Team:Seattle Kraken
Former Teams:Anaheim Ducks
Florida Panthers
Prospect League:AHL
Draft:85th overall
Draft Year:2016
Draft Team:Anaheim Ducks
Career Start:2018

Joshua Mahura (born May 5, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL).[1]

Playing career

Junior

Mahura began his major junior hockey career with the Red Deer Rebels, who had drafted him in the second round, 36th overall, in the 2013 WHL Draft.[2]

In his second year with the Rebels, and his first year as a draft eligible player, Mahura tore his medial collateral ligament (MCL) and missed the entire regular season to recover. He returned in May 2016 to play in the 2016 Memorial Cup.[3] Mahura was drafted in the third round, 85th overall, by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

On January 10, 2017, Mahura was traded by the Rebels mid-season to the Regina Pats along with Jeff de Wit and a 2019 conditional third-round pick in exchange for Lane Zablocki, Dawson Barteaux, a 2017 first-round pick, a either 2018 or 2019 first-round pick, and a 2020 conditional third-round pick. At the time of the trade, Mahura had collected nine goals and 24 assists in 39 games.[4] He was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract by the Ducks on May 18, 2017.[5] The following season, Mahura was named an alternate captain for the Pats, alongside Jake Leschyshyn and Matt Bradley.[6]

Professional

During his first professional season in 2018–19, Mahura was recalled to the Ducks from AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, on November 18, 2018, after injuries to Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm.[7] He made his NHL debut that night against the Colorado Avalanche, recording a plus 2 and six blocks. Mahura was one of four rookie defencemen to play that night. The Ducks had not played four rookie defencemen in one game since May 3, 1995.[8]

Prior to the 2022–23 season, on October 10, 2022, Mahura was claimed off waivers by the Florida Panthers.[9]

In the following 2023–24 season, Mahura was limited to 30 regular season games due to injuries as the Panthers went on to win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. With the Panthers requesting an injury exemption, his name was engraved on the cup.[10]

As a free agent from the Panthers, Mahura was signed to a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Seattle Kraken on July 3, 2024.[11]

Personal life

Mahura's brother Luke also plays hockey. He played in the WHL for the Prince Albert Raiders and currently plays for the Morinville Kings of the North Central Senior Hockey League.[12]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
Team LeagueGP PIMGP G A Pts PIM
WHL51 2 6 8 205 0 1 1 2
Red Deer Rebels WHL2 0 1 1 017 2 2 4 6
Red Deer Rebels WHL39 9 24 33 35
2016–17 WHL34 8 12 20 2223 8 13 21 16
Regina Pats WHL60 22 47 69 427 0 5 5 8
AHL40 1 18 19 109 0 0 0 2
NHL17 1 4 5 4
San Diego Gulls AHL44 4 17 21 40
Anaheim Ducks NHL11 1 3 4 2
San Diego Gulls AHL28 6 14 20 163 0 0 0 2
Anaheim Ducks NHL13 1 3 4 4
Anaheim Ducks NHL38 3 4 7 12
NHL82 4 12 16 4821 0 3 3 6
2023–24Florida PanthersNHL30 0 9 9 20
NHL totals191 10 35 45 9021 0 3 3 6

International

Awards and honours

AwardYearRef
WHL
East Second All-Star Team2018
CHL Memorial Cup All-Star Team2018
NHL
Stanley Cup champion2024

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Josh Mahura at eliteprospects.com. www.eliteprospects.com . November 18, 2018 . November 18, 2018.
  2. Web site: Rebels Make Nine Picks In WHL Bantam Draft . reddeerrebels.com . December 16, 2018 . May 2, 2013.
  3. News: Stephens . Eric . Knee injury only fuels comeback for Ducks draft pick Josh Mahura . December 16, 2018 . The Orange County Register . July 13, 2016.
  4. Web site: Pats Make Blockbuster Trade With Red Deer . reginapats.com . December 16, 2018 . January 10, 2017.
  5. Web site: Ducks sign Josh Mahura to three-year entry-level contract . . May 18, 2017 . December 12, 2018.
  6. Web site: Pats Announce 2017-18 Leadership Group . reginapats.com . December 16, 2018 . August 30, 2017.
  7. Web site: Ducks' Josh Mahura: Recalled by Anaheim . cbssports.com . November 18, 2018 . November 18, 2018.
  8. Web site: Arritt . Dan . Rantanen, Avalanche rally past Ducks in OT . NHL.com . December 16, 2018 . November 19, 2018.
  9. Web site: Richards . George . 2022-10-10 . Florida Panthers Claim D Josh Mahura Off Waivers . 2022-10-10 . Florida Hockey Now.
  10. Web site: Kulesa . Anna . Panthers' names engraved on Stanley Cup . NHL.com . July 15, 2024 . July 13, 2024.
  11. Web site: Seattle Kraken agree to terms with Josh Mahura on a one-year contract . . July 3, 2024 . July 3, 2024.
  12. Web site: Luke Mahura . eliteprospects.com . December 16, 2018.