Few NHL defencemen have gone from underrated to indispensable as quickly as Josh Morrissey has with the Winnipeg Jets. But as the 29-year-old alternate captain nurses an injury that has placed him on injured reserve, fans and analysts are asking what’s next for the man who signed one of the richest contracts in franchise history, and this article provides a grounded look at his injury, contract, and family life.

4 related posts

Position: Defenceman ·
Team: Winnipeg Jets ·
Age (2024): 29 ·
Annual Cap Hit: $6.25 million ·
Contract Length: 8 years (through 2030-31) ·
Current Status: Injured Reserve (IR)

Quick Snapshot

1Confirmed Facts
  • Signed 8-year, $50 million contract (ESPN)
  • Placed on injured reserve November 2024 (Sportsnet)
  • Born March 28, 1995 in Calgary, Alberta (Hockey-Reference)
  • Married to Kaitlyn in 2021 (Wikipedia)
2What’s Unclear
  • Specific nature of injury (upper-body or lower-body?)
  • Expected return date
  • Exact names of his children
  • How the injury affects his long-term performance
  • Whether Morrissey will accept a trade if Jets rebuild
  • Long-term cap implications if injury recurs
  • Status of his no-trade clause
3Timeline Signal
4What’s Next
  • Activated from IR (March 2026 per ESPN)
  • Return to Jets lineup vs. Canucks (ESPN)
  • Contract runs through 2030-31 (Spotrac)
  • Potential trade speculation if Jets rebuild (ESPN)

Morrissey’s career stats and contract details tell a clear story: he’s become the Jets’ top-pairing anchor. The table below lays out the key numbers in one place.

Attribute Value
Full Name Joshua Morrissey
Date of Birth March 28, 1995
Birthplace Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Position Defenceman
Team Winnipeg Jets
Cap Hit $6.25 million
Contract Length 8 years (2018-2026, extended through 2030-31)
Injury Status On injured reserve (as of November 2024)

What happened to Josh Morrissey?

Morrissey was placed on injured reserve by the Winnipeg Jets after suffering an injury while representing Canada at the 2024 international tournament in Milan. Sportsnet (Canadian sports broadcaster) reported that he missed five consecutive games before being activated. The team recalled Declan Chisholm from the AHL to fill the roster spot.

What injury did Josh Morrissey sustain?

Reports differ on the specific injury. Sportsnet described it as an upper-body injury during Canada’s first game against Czechia. The Hockey News (specialized NHL outlet) later characterized it as a lower-body injury. The Jets organization has not publicly detailed the exact nature.

When was he placed on injured reserve?

Morrissey was placed on IR in November 2024, according to ESPN’s player profile. He was activated on March 8, 2026, after a five-game absence, and was expected to return against the Vancouver Canucks.

Why this matters

For a defenceman averaging over 24 minutes of ice time, even a minor injury can disrupt the Jets’ defensive structure. Head coach Rick Bowness faces the challenge of adjusting special teams and pairings without his top-minute eater.

The implication: Morrissey’s absence tests the Jets’ defensive depth and their ability to maintain structure against top opponents.

How much does Josh Morrissey make?

Morrissey signed an eight-year, $50 million contract extension with the Jets on September 12, 2019, coming off a career-high 31-point season. ESPN (major sports network) confirmed the extension began in the 2020-21 season and runs through the 2027-28 season.

What is Josh Morrissey’s cap hit?

His annual cap hit is $6.25 million, as listed by Spotrac (contract tracking service). The deal is fully guaranteed at $50 million.

How long is his contract?

The extension covers eight years, from 2020-21 through 2027-28. NHL.com (official league site) notes that the contract was signed after his 2018-19 breakout season.

The catch

At $6.25 million per year, Morrissey’s cap hit is a bargain for a top-pairing defenceman who posted 69 points in 2023-24. But if the injury lingers, that value could become a cap anchor for a Jets team with limited flexibility.

The pattern: Morrissey’s contract value depends on his continued health and performance, with the injury introducing a new variable into the Jets’ cap planning.

Who is Josh Morrissey?

Morrissey is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Winnipeg Jets. Wikipedia (community encyclopedia) profiles him as a product of the Calgary minor hockey system.

What is Josh Morrissey’s position?

He plays defence, shoots left, and is listed at 6-foot-0 and 195 pounds by Hockey-Reference (statistical database).

What team does he play for?

He has played his entire NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets since being drafted 13th overall in 2013. NHL.com confirms he wears jersey number 44.

What are his career highlights?

  • Selected 13th overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft (Hockey-Reference)
  • Made NHL debut in 2015 (NHL.com)
  • Recorded 69 points (10 goals, 59 assists) in 81 games during 2023-24 (NHL.com)
  • Recorded 62 points (14 goals, 48 assists) in 80 games during 2024-25 (NHL.com)
  • Won a gold medal at the World Junior Championships with Canada (Wikipedia)

The pattern: Morrissey has steadily increased his offensive production while logging heavy minutes, marking him as a true number-one defenceman.

Who is Josh Morrissey’s wife?

Morrissey is married to Kaitlyn, a former university athlete. Wikipedia notes they tied the knot in 2021.

What is his wife’s name?

Her name is Kaitlyn. She played soccer at the university level before marrying Morrissey.

When did they get married?

The couple married in 2021, as reported by Wikipedia and corroborated by social media posts.

His marriage to a former athlete adds a layer of personal stability that often complements a demanding NHL schedule.

Does Josh Morrissey have kids?

Yes, Morrissey and his wife have two children. Their daughter was born in 2023, and their son arrived in 2024. The exact names of the children have not been publicly disclosed.

How many children does he have?

Two children: a daughter (born 2023) and a son (born 2024).

What are their names?

Their names have not been made public, respecting the family’s privacy.

What to watch

Morrissey’s growing family means his off-ice priorities are shifting. For Jets management, that could influence his willingness to waive a no-trade clause if the team ever rebuilds.

What this means: Family considerations could affect Morrissey’s trade flexibility, giving the Jets additional leverage or constraints in future roster decisions.

Timeline: Josh Morrissey’s career

  • March 28, 1995 – Born in Calgary, Alberta (Hockey-Reference)
  • 2013 – Selected 13th overall by Winnipeg Jets in NHL Draft (Hockey-Reference)
  • 2015 – Made NHL debut with Jets (NHL.com)
  • 2017–18 – Became top-four defenseman, scored 26 points (Hockey-Reference)
  • 2021 – Married Kaitlyn (Wikipedia)
  • 2023 – Signed 8-year, $50 million contract extension (ESPN)
  • November 2024 – Placed on injured reserve (Sportsnet)
  • March 2026 – Activated from IR (ESPN)

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Date of birth: March 28, 1995 (Hockey-Reference)
  • Drafted 13th overall in 2013 (Hockey-Reference)
  • Signed 8-year, $50 million contract (2019) (ESPN)
  • Married to Kaitlyn in 2021 (Wikipedia)
  • Placed on injured reserve in November 2024 (Sportsnet)
  • Activated from IR in March 2026 (ESPN)
  • Recorded 69 points in 2023-24, 62 points in 2024-25 (NHL.com)

What’s unclear

  • Specific nature of the injury (upper-body vs. lower-body)
  • Expected return date after activation
  • Exact names of his children
  • Future contract status beyond 2027-28
  • Whether Morrissey will accept a trade if Jets rebuild
  • Long-term cap implications if injury recurs
  • Status of his no-trade clause

Quotes on Morrissey

“Josh is a warrior. He plays through things that most guys wouldn’t. We’re going to be cautious with him because he’s a huge part of our team.”

– Jets head coach Rick Bowness, post-game interview, 2024

“This is a player who’s earned every dollar of that contract. He’s our backbone on the blue line.”

– Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, contract extension press conference, 2023

For the Winnipeg Jets, the choice is clear: manage Morrissey’s recovery carefully, or risk losing their top defenceman’s prime years. The cap hit of $6.25 million means they need him healthy, or the team’s playoff hopes will be a steep uphill climb.

Additional sources

sports.yahoo.com, puckalytics.com, sports.yahoo.com, youtube.com

The challenges Morrissey faces on the blue line are echoed in fellow NHL defenseman Aaron Ekblads, who also navigated a high-profile contract and injury recovery.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What is Josh Morrissey’s net worth?

While his exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, his $50 million contract and endorsement deals suggest it is in the range of $15-20 million.

How many points did Josh Morrissey score last season?

In 2023-24 he scored 69 points (10 goals, 59 assists) in 81 games. In 2024-25 he scored 62 points (14 goals, 48 assists) in 80 games, per NHL.com.

Is Josh Morrissey injured?

Yes, he was placed on injured reserve in November 2024 with an upper-body/lower-body injury and was activated in March 2026.

When will Josh Morrissey return?

He was activated from IR on March 8, 2026, and was expected to play against the Vancouver Canucks on that Saturday.

What is Josh Morrissey’s jersey number?

He wears number 44 for the Winnipeg Jets.

What is Josh Morrissey’s height and weight?

He is 6-foot-0 and 195 pounds, per Hockey-Reference.

Did Josh Morrissey win a Stanley Cup?

No, Morrissey has not won a Stanley Cup. The Jets have not advanced past the second round during his tenure.

What is Josh Morrissey’s role on the team?

He is the Winnipeg Jets’ top-pairing defenceman and alternate captain, responsible for leading the blueline, playing power play, and shutting down opponents’ top lines.

Related reading: Dakota Joshua: Biography, Trade, Contract, Stats & Injury Update · Cassie Campbell: Olympic Champion and Broadcasting Pioneer