A sixth-round draft pick who wasn’t even sure he wanted to play hockey — and yet Josh Manson has quietly earned over $45 million across his NHL career.
The Colorado Avalanche defenseman turned his raw physicality and blue-collar work ethic into one of the steadiest defensive contracts in the league, including a brand-new two-year extension signed in July 2025.
Josh Manson’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joshua David Manson |
| Date of Birth | October 7, 1991 |
| Age (2026) | 34 |
| Birthplace | Hinsdale, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | Canadian-American |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Position | Defenseman (Right Shot) |
| Current NHL Team | Colorado Avalanche |
| NHL Draft | 2011, Round 6, 160th Overall (Anaheim Ducks) |
| Years Active | 2014 – Present |
| Net Worth | ~$10 million (estimated) |
| Annual Salary (2025-26) | $4,500,000 (cap hit) |
| Career Earnings | $45+ million (estimated) |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Julie Manson |
| @joshmanson42 |
Early Life and Hockey Journey
Josh Manson was born on October 7, 1991, in Hinsdale, Illinois — a Chicago suburb where his father, Dave Manson, had played for the Blackhawks.
Days after Josh was born, Dave was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, launching a long nomadic chapter for the family as they followed Dave’s career across multiple NHL cities.
After his father retired, the family eventually settled in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
Growing up in hockey-mad Canada with an NHL legend for a father might seem like an automatic path to the pros — but Josh wasn’t sold on the sport early on. He actually considered skipping tryouts for his midget team altogether.
Fortunately, he gave it a shot. During the 2008-09 season, Manson joined the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).
He began as a forward before transitioning to defense following injuries to the lineup — a positional change that would define the rest of his career.
Manson thrived with the Silverbacks, recording 12 goals and 35 assists in 57 games. That production earned him a college scholarship and eventually a spot on the NHL draft board.
He played three seasons of NCAA Division I hockey at Northeastern University, where he was named HE Best Defensive Defenseman and earned a place on the 2013-14 Hockey East Second All-Star Team.
The Anaheim Ducks selected him in the sixth round, 160th overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
He signed his entry-level contract with Anaheim on March 25, 2014, launching his professional journey.
Career
Josh Manson made his NHL debut on October 31, 2014, against the Dallas Stars, splitting his first season between the NHL and the AHL’s San Diego Gulls.
He established himself quickly as a physical presence — in his second season, he led all Anaheim defensemen in hits. He scored his first NHL goal in 2015 and grew into a reliable top-four blueliner over eight seasons with the Ducks.
In October 2017, Manson signed a four-year, $16.4 million extension to stay in Anaheim. He served as an alternate captain and became one of the franchise’s most physical defenders.
Injuries, however, plagued him throughout his tenure — a theme that would follow him for the rest of his career.
The biggest moment came on March 14, 2022, when the Colorado Avalanche acquired Manson at the trade deadline in exchange for defenseman Drew Helleson and a 2023 second-round pick. He made an immediate impact — recording 10 hits in his Avalanche debut.
On May 17, 2022, he scored an overtime winner against the St. Louis Blues in Game 1 of the second round of the playoffs, helping propel Colorado toward the championship.
The Avalanche won the 2022 Stanley Cup, and Manson cemented his place as a trusted veteran on the blue line.
According to Hockey-Reference, he has accumulated 44 goals and 157 assists across more than 700 NHL regular season games, along with 1,526 career hits — a testament to his relentless, physical style.
He re-signed with Colorado on July 13, 2022, on a four-year deal worth $18 million.
In July 2025, the Avalanche signed him to a two-year extension worth $7.9 million, set to begin in the 2026-27 season, essentially locking him into Colorado for the foreseeable future — and perhaps for the remainder of his career.
Wife
Josh Manson is married to Julie Manson, a former collegiate volleyball player at UCLA. The couple has a daughter together and the family is known to enjoy outdoor activities and low-key time away from the rink.
Julie maintains a personal Instagram presence and is closely involved in family life during the demanding playoff and travel schedule.
Josh’s father, Dave Manson, was a decorated NHL defenseman who played 1,103 career games. Josh’s mother, Lana Manson, was a constant source of encouragement during his early hockey development.
Lana passed away on August 5, 2023, following a battle with melanoma. She played a meaningful role in convincing a young Josh not to quit the sport, making her influence on his career genuinely profound.
Josh Manson’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Josh Manson has an estimated net worth of approximately $10 million.
He built this figure through more than a decade of NHL salaries across two major contracts, supplemented by career earnings that comfortably exceed $45 million.
Contract
Manson’s current 2025-26 season operates under the final year of his four-year, $18 million contract with the Colorado Avalanche, signed July 13, 2022. The deal carries a $4.5 million cap hit per season and is fully guaranteed.
Looking ahead, Manson already has security locked in. He signed a two-year extension with Colorado on July 10, 2025, worth $7.9 million total — an average annual value of $3.95 million.
That deal runs through the 2027-28 season, after which he becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent. The extension includes a modified no-trade clause, underscoring the mutual trust between player and franchise.
According to Spotrac, Manson’s 2025-26 base salary is $2.5 million, with a $1 million signing bonus, bringing his total cash for the season to $3.5 million against a $4.5 million cap figure.
Salary
Manson currently earns a cap hit of $4.5 million in the 2025-26 season, his final year under his previous deal.
When his extension kicks in for 2026-27, that figure drops slightly to $3.95 million per year — a reflection of his age (he turns 35 in October 2026) while still acknowledging his value as a veteran playoff performer.
Across his NHL career, Manson’s highest-earning seasons came in the early years of his Colorado contract, where cash payments reached $5.5 million in 2022-23.
He has never been among the league’s highest-paid defenders, but he consistently delivered value relative to his salary — especially in the postseason.
Career Earnings by Season
| Season | Team | Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | Anaheim Ducks | ~$900,000 |
| 2015-16 | Anaheim Ducks | ~$900,000 |
| 2016-17 | Anaheim Ducks | ~$900,000 |
| 2017-18 | Anaheim Ducks | $4,100,000 |
| 2018-19 | Anaheim Ducks | $4,100,000 |
| 2019-20 | Anaheim Ducks | $4,100,000 |
| 2020-21 | Anaheim Ducks | $4,100,000 |
| 2021-22 | ANA / COL | $4,100,000 |
| 2022-23 | Colorado Avalanche | $4,500,000 |
| 2023-24 | Colorado Avalanche | $4,500,000 |
| 2024-25 | Colorado Avalanche | $4,500,000 |
| 2025-26 | Colorado Avalanche | $4,500,000 |
| 2026-27 | Colorado Avalanche | $3,950,000 |
| 2027-28 | Colorado Avalanche | $3,950,000 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | Anaheim Ducks | 29 | 1 | 3 | 4 | +4 |
| 2015-16 | Anaheim Ducks | 61 | 4 | 11 | 15 | +15 |
| 2016-17 | Anaheim Ducks | 50 | 6 | 9 | 15 | +12 |
| 2017-18 | Anaheim Ducks | 72 | 4 | 18 | 22 | +8 |
| 2018-19 | Anaheim Ducks | 65 | 5 | 15 | 20 | -10 |
| 2019-20 | Anaheim Ducks | 60 | 4 | 11 | 15 | -9 |
| 2020-21 | Anaheim Ducks | 42 | 3 | 8 | 11 | -10 |
| 2021-22 | ANA / COL | 57 | 5 | 18 | 23 | +22 |
| 2022-23 | Colorado Avalanche | 64 | 5 | 20 | 25 | +10 |
| 2023-24 | Colorado Avalanche | 57 | 6 | 16 | 22 | +7 |
| 2024-25 | Colorado Avalanche | 48 | 1 | 14 | 15 | N/A |
FAQs
What is Josh Manson’s net worth?
Josh Manson’s net worth is estimated at approximately $10 million. His wealth comes primarily from NHL contracts, including more than $45 million in career salary earnings across stints with the Anaheim Ducks and Colorado Avalanche.
How much does Josh Manson earn per season?
Manson carries a $4.5 million cap hit for the 2025-26 season, the final year of his four-year deal with Colorado. Starting in 2026-27, his new two-year extension kicks in at $3.95 million per year through the 2027-28 season.
Did Josh Manson win the Stanley Cup?
Yes, Josh Manson won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. He played a key role in the playoff run, including scoring an overtime winner against the St. Louis Blues in Game 1 of the second round.
What teams has Josh Manson played for in the NHL?
Josh Manson played for the Anaheim Ducks from 2014 to 2022, serving as an alternate captain during his tenure. The Colorado Avalanche acquired him at the March 2022 trade deadline, and he has remained with Colorado ever since, signing two long-term extensions.
Who is Josh Manson’s father?
Josh Manson is the son of Dave Manson, a well-known former NHL defenseman who played 1,103 career games for teams including the Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers, and Winnipeg Jets. Dave later became an NHL assistant coach, most recently with the Edmonton Oilers.
