Josh Harding

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Josh Harding

| image = Josh Harding 2011-2.jpg

| image_size = 230px

| caption = Harding with the Minnesota Wild in 2011

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|6|18}}

| birth_place = Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 1

| weight_lb = 197

| position = Goaltender

| catches = Right

| played_for = Minnesota Wild

| ntl_team = CAN

| draft = 38th overall

| draft_year = 2002

| draft_team = Minnesota Wild

| career_start = 2004

| career_end = 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 ice 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.{{Cite book|editor=Flett, Cory |editor2=Watts, Jessie|title=2009–10 WHL Guide|publisher=Western Hockey League|pages=206, 209}} He was selected in the second round, 38th overall, of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota 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).

Harding was called up to the Wild on March 8, 2006, after goaltender Dwayne Roloson was traded to the Edmonton Oilers.{{cite web |title=Oilers obtain Roloson from Wild |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/oilers-obtain-roloson-from-wild-1.614354 |website=CBC.ca |access-date=January 19, 2024 |date=March 8, 2006}} 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.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Harding recorded a 30-save, 5–0 shutout against the Oilers on March 1, 2007.{{cite web |title=Demitra, Gaborik lead Wild in shutout of Smyth-less Oilers |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=270301006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119175056/https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=270301006 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |website=ESPN |access-date=January 19, 2024 |date=March 1, 2007}}

On October 14, 2007, Harding stopped 37 shots in his first game of the season, shutting-out the Anaheim Ducks 2–0.{{cite web |title=Giguere debuts for Ducks, but Harding (37 saves) stars for Wild |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=271014025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119175057/https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=271014025 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |website=ESPN |access-date=January 19, 2024 |date=October 14, 2007}} 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 against the St. Louis Blues that forced him to miss the entire 2010–11 season.{{cite news |url=http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/blogs/57299562.html |title=Harding tears right ACL and MCL, likely out for season (updated) |newspaper=Minneapolis Star Tribune |access-date=September 25, 2010 |archive-date=April 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420005501/http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/blogs/57299562.html |url-status=dead }} Despite this, on July 1, 2011, Harding signed a one-year contract extension with the Wild.{{cite news | url = http://www.torontosun.com/2011/07/01/wild-sign-backup-goalie-harding | title = Wild sign backup goalie Harding | newspaper = Toronto Sun | date = July 1, 2011 | access-date = July 1, 2011 | archive-date = March 12, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160312064604/http://www.torontosun.com/2011/07/01/wild-sign-backup-goalie-harding | url-status = dead }}

On June 19, 2012, Harding signed a three-year, $5.7 million contract extension with Minnesota.{{cite web| url = http://wild.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=635133 | title = Wild Re-Signs Harding | publisher = Minnesota Wild | date = June 19, 2012 | access-date = June 19, 2012}} On November 28, during the 2012–13 NHL lockout, it was reported that Harding had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=646581&print=true |title=Wild's Harding diagnosed with multiple sclerosis|publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=November 29, 2012|date=November 28, 2012}}{{cite web| url = http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/181297631.html | title = Wild's Harding starts battle with MS | publisher = Minnesota Star Tribune | date = November 28, 2012 | access-date = November 28, 2012}} 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.{{cite web| title = Wild goalie Josh Harding diagnosed with multiple sclerosis | url = https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/wild-goalie-josh-harding-diagnosed-with-multiple-sclerosis-1.1155037 | publisher = Canadian Broadcasting Corporation | date = November 29, 2012 | access-date = November 29, 2012}} 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.{{cite news| title = Josh Harding wins 1-0 in first game since MS diagnosis | url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2013/01/20/josh-harding-wild-beat-stars/1850607/ | newspaper = USAToday | date = January 20, 2013 | access-date = January 20, 2013}}

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.{{cite web| url = http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/opinion/stanleycup2013/2013/04/did-you-see-that-niklas-backstrom-injured-during-warmups.html | title = Niklas Backstrom injured during warmups | publisher = Canadian Broadcasting Corporation | date = April 15, 2013 | access-date = April 15, 2013}} 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.{{cite news| url = http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/wild-goalie-josh-harding-earns-blackhawks-praise | title = Wild goalie Josh Harding earns Blackhawks praise | newspaper = Toronto Sun | date = May 1, 2013 | access-date = May 1, 2013}} The Wild would lose the series 4–1, but Harding would win the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in recognition of his efforts.{{cite web |last1=Graff |first1=Chad |title=Minnesota Wild: Josh Harding wins Masterton Trophy |url=https://www.twincities.com/2013/06/13/minnesota-wild-josh-harding-wins-masterton-trophy/ |website=Twin Cities |access-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119172514/https://www.twincities.com/2013/06/13/minnesota-wild-josh-harding-wins-masterton-trophy/ |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |date=June 13, 2013}}

Harding enjoyed an exceptional beginning of the 2013–14 season, leading the league in goals against average and save percentage through December 2013. But his season ended when he had to be placed on the injured reserve due to a modification of his MS treatment protocol.{{Cite web|title=Josh Harding placed on injured reserve, Johan Gustafsson recalled|url=https://www.startribune.com/wild-s-harding-placed-on-injured-reserve-gustafsson-recalled/236465331/|access-date=September 8, 2020|website=Star Tribune}}

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.{{cite web |last1=Peters |first1=Chris |title=Josh Harding suspended, Darcy Kuemper re-signed by Wild |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/josh-harding-suspended-darcy-kuemper-re-signed-by-wild/ |website=CBSSports.com |access-date=January 19, 2024 |date=September 18, 2014}} Months later, upon being activated from injured reserve, the Wild placed Harding on waivers and assigned him to their AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild.{{cite web| url = http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/283064291.html | title = Harding assigned to Iowa in return from injury | publisher = Minnesota Star Tribune | date = December 2, 2014 | access-date = December 2, 2014}} 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.{{cite web| url = http://www.startribune.com/sports/285215671.html | title = Josh Harding hospitalized over weekend for dehydration | publisher = Minnesota Star Tribune | date = December 9, 2014 | access-date = December 9, 2014}} He subsequently retired from professional ice hockey and went to work as a high school goaltender instructor for the Edina Hornets in Edina, Minnesota.{{Cite web|url=https://www.twincities.com/2017/03/21/retired-wild-goalie-josh-harding-at-peace-with-ms-abrupt-end-to-nhl-career/|title = Retired Wild goalie Josh Harding at peace with MS, abrupt end to NHL career|date = March 21, 2017}}

International play

Harding made his international debut at the junior level for Canada in the 2004 World Juniors, helping claim a championship silver medal.{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=20545 |title=Josh Harding player profile |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=April 27, 2010}} 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.{{cite web |title=Canada Wins Silver Medal at 2009 IIHF World Championship |url=https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2009-nr-076-en |website=hockeycanada.ca |access-date=January 19, 2024 |date=May 10, 2009}}

Personal life

Harding was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November 2012, while training during the 2012–13 NHL lockout.{{cite news |title=Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding diagnosed with MS |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/wild/2012/11/29/wild-goalie-harding-diagnosed-with-ms/1735077/ |access-date=July 25, 2018 |newspaper=USA Today |date=November 29, 2012}} Harding lives in Edina, Minnesota with his wife and their two children. Through his marriage, Harding has a stepson.{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Brian |title=Retired Wild goalie Josh Harding at peace with MS, abrupt end to NHL career |url=https://www.twincities.com/2017/03/21/retired-wild-goalie-josh-harding-at-peace-with-ms-abrupt-end-to-nhl-career/ |access-date=July 25, 2018 |publisher=Twin Cities Pioneer Press |date=March 21, 2017}}

Career statistics

=Regular season and playoffs=

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:75%;"
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"\| ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"\| ! colspan="9" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"\|Regular season ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"\| ! colspan="8" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"\|Playoffs
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! 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	2,389	95	4	2.39	.906 \| 6	2	4	325	16	0	2.95	.890
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2002–03 \| Regina Pats \| WHL \| 57	18	24	13	3,385	155	3	2.75	.914 \| 5	1	4	321	13	0	2.43	.939
2003–04 \| Regina Pats \| WHL \| 28	12	14	2	1,665	67	2	2.41	.927 \| —	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2003–04 \| Brandon Wheat Kings \| WHL \| 27	13	11	3	1,612	65	5	2.42	.920 \| 11	5	6	660	36	0	3.27	.897
2004–05 \| Houston Aeros \| AHL \| 42	21	16	3	2,387	80	4	2.01	.930 \| 2	0	2	119	8	0	4.03	.893
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2005–06 \| Houston Aeros \| AHL \| 38	29	8	0	2,215	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 \| —	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2006–07 \| Houston Aeros \| AHL \| 38	17	16	4	2,270	94	1	2.48	.920 \| —	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2006–07 \| Minnesota Wild \| NHL \| 7	3	2	1	361	7	1	1.16	.960 \| —	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2007–08 \| Minnesota Wild \| NHL \| 29	11	15	2	1,571	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 \| —	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2009–10 \| Minnesota Wild \| NHL \| 25	9	12	0	1,300	66	1	3.05	.900 \| —	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2011–12 \| Minnesota Wild \| NHL \| 34	13	12	4	1,855	81	2	2.62	.917 \| —	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 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 \| —	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2013–14 \| Minnesota Wild \| NHL \| 29	18	7	3	1,668	46	3	1.65	.933 \| —	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2014–15 \| Iowa Wild \| AHL \| 2	0	1	1	107	6	0	3.37	.920 \| —	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3"\|NHL totals ! 151 !! 60 !! 59 !! 11 !! 7,994 !! 327 !! 10 !! 2.45 !! .918 ! 6 !! 1 !! 4 !! 265 !! 12 !! 0 !! 2.72 !! .918

Awards and honours

class="wikitable"
Award ! Year ! Ref
colspan="3"\|WHL
East Second All-Star Team \| 2001–02 \|
WHL Player of the Month (December) \| 2002–03 \|
WHL East First All-Star Team \| 2002–03 \|
Four Broncos Memorial Trophy \| 2002–03 \|
WHL Del Wilson Trophy \| 2002–03 \|
colspan="3"\|AHL
All-Star Game \| 2005–06 ({{abbr\|DNP\|did not play due to injury}}) \|
colspan="3"\|NHL
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy \| 2012–13 \|

class="wikitable"

Award

! Year

! Ref

colspan="3"|WHL

East Second All-Star Team

| 2001–02

WHL Player of the Month (December)

| 2002–03

WHL East First All-Star Team

| 2002–03

Four Broncos Memorial Trophy