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#26 Josh Gorges

Matthew Macaskill
Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’1"
Weight: 190 lbs
Birth Date: 07/14/1977
Birth Place: Kelowna, Canada
Acquired: Trade with San Jose on February
25th, 2007
Draft Team & Year: Not Drafted
Draft Round: –
Overall Choice: –
Salary: $450.000

Scouting Report

Strengths: Is a puck-moving defenseman who
possesses strong leadership qualities for a player his age. Works hard at
making few mistakes in the defensive zone.
Weaknesses: Lacks the size to play an
effective physical game. His offensive game has dropped off in the higher
levels with his attention set on continuing to improve defensively.
Projected Role: Top 6 defenseman.

Biography

Began his professional career with the WHL’s
Kelowna Rockets. Josh Gorges played four seasons with the Rockets but was
never drafted. He was signed by the San Jose Sharks in 2002 after an
impressive sophomore season with Kelowna where Gorges scored 7 goals and 34
assists (7-34-41).

Gorges was an assistant captain for the 2002-2003 Kelowna Rockets team
and helped the team reach the Memorial Cup after winning the WHL
championship. In 19 playoff games, the Kelowna native scored 3 goals and
added 17 assists. His point-per-game pace helped Gorges to a plus-17 rating
in the post season.

The Rockets ultimately came out flat when chasing the Memorial Cup in
2003, but with Gorges as captain in 2004, Kelowna was given a second crack
at it as the host city for the tournament. The Rockets went on to win the
Memorial Cup and Gorges gained much experience in the process.

Team Canada soon came calling for the defenseman’s services and Gorges
joined the 2004 Silver Medalists at the World Junior Championship. Canada
was edged by Team USA in the final game, but Gorges was one of the team’s
most reliable defensemen. It was yet another useful experience for the
developing blueliner.

In four seasons with the Kelowna Rockets, Josh Gorges played 245 games
where he put up a total of 33 goals and 119 assists for 152 points. He also
had a strong rating of plus-38 and a total of 212 PIMs.

Gorges next stop in the pro ranks was with San Jose’s farm team, the
Cleveland Barons. With the AHL club, Gorges played parts of two seasons
before making his NHL debut during the 2005-2006 season. In 97 career AHL
games, including seven this season, Gorges has 6 goals and 12 assists
(6-12-18).

In his rookie season with the San Jose Sharks last year, Gorges played 49
games where he picked up 6 assists. He finished the season with a plus-5
rating and 31 PIMs. In 11 playoff games with the Sharks last season, the
22-year-old had a single assist, 4 PIMs, and a rating of minus-1.

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