Josh Harding

Josh Harding (born June 18, 1984) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League.

Playing career
Harding played three seasons of junior 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. He represented Canada at the 2004 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, winning a silver medal. He was selected in the second round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft (38th overall) by the Wild. He began his professional career with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League, the Wild's development team. In the 2004–2005 season, his rookie season with the Aeros, he posted a 21–16–3 record with a 2.01 goals against average.

Harding was called up to the Wild on March 8, 2006, after goalie Dwayne Roloson was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. Before being called up, he had a 27–8–0 record with a .923% save percentage (second best in the AHL) in the Aeros' 2005–2006 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 goals against average.

Harding began the 2006–07 season with the Aeros as well, compiling a 17–15–4 record before being recalled by the Wild on January 24, 2007. Harding recorded a 30-save, 5–0 shutout against the Oilers on March 1, 2007; the third shutout of his career.

On October 14, 2007, Harding stopped 37 shots in his first game of the season shutting out the Anaheim Ducks by a score of 2–0. He compiled a record of 11-15 in the 2007-08 NHL Season, with a goals against average of 2.94. He played less during the 2008-09 NHL Season, recording only 3 wins to go with 11 losses, but with a better 2.21 goals against average.

On September 24, 2010, Harding tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee in a preseason game in St. Louis, and missed the entire 2010–11 NHL season. Despite this, Harding was once again re-signed by the Wild on July 1, 2011.

Awards & Achievements

 * Played in World U-17 Hockey Challenge (2001)
 * 2002–03 WHL Player of the Month (December)
 * 2002–03 WHL Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player of the Year)
 * Del Wilson Trophy WHL Goaltender of the Year (2003)
 * 2005–06 AHL All-Star Game (did not play due to injury)

Records

 * Houston Aeros' franchise record for saves in a single game (56)

International play
Played for Canada in:
 * 2004 World Junior Championships (silver medal)
 * 2009 World Ice Hockey Championships (silver medal)