Josh Gorges (born August 14, 1984 in Kelowna, British Columbia) is a professional ice hockey player currently with the Montreal Canadiens. After going undrafted, Gorges was signed as a free agent by San Jose in 2002. 2005–06 is his first season in the NHL. In 2004–2005, he set the Cleveland Barons record for the fastest goal from the start of a game (20 seconds).
He played his junior hockey with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL, where he helped the Rockets to a Memorial Cup championship in 2004 as their captain. He was also the captain for the WHL in the Canada-Russia challenge in November 2003. Gorges was also a member of Team Canada at the 2004 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he won a silver medal.
In 2003, NHL.com wrote an article about him, praising him for his work ethic and for exceedings expectations at every level. Hockeysfuture calls him "a solid skater with adequate speed" who "is a good puckmoving defenceman who's effective on the power play with a decent point shot and playmaking abilities". What Gorges lacks in size and strength, he makes up for with his discreet and efficient abilities. Hockeysfuture website projects him as a future #3 or #4 defenceman.
On February 25, 2007, Josh Gorges was traded to the Montreal Canadiens alongside a 2007 first round pick (Max Pacioretty) for Craig Rivet and a 2008 fifth round pick.
On July 9, 2008, Gorges signed a three-year contract worth US$3.3 million with the Canadiens.
Nicknamed Captain Kelowna and the "Boss", as in Josh "the Boss" Gorges
Gorges scored his first NHL goal against the Detroit Red Wings on January 4, 2007.
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