Defenceman Chris Joseph was a fine example of size and mobilty, but his NHL career ended up being more steady than spectacular. Throughout his career he played to his strengths of being disciplined in his own end and joining in on the rush when opportunities arose.
Born in Burnaby, B.C., Joseph starred on the blueline of the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds and played for Canada at the World Junior Championships in 1987 and 1988. Joseph was also voted on the WHL west second all-star team in 1987. He was the first round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1987 but only played 17 games as a rookie before he was involved in a major trade with the Edmonton Oilers. The major principals involved were Craig Simpson and Paul Coffey. Joseph spent some time with the Cape Breton Oilers of the AHL but he was injured for part of the season. He played parts of the next six seasons in Edmonton and Cape Breton with the high point being his solid work while helping the club reach the semi-finals in 1992.
Early in the 1993-94 season he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning where he scored 10 goals in 66 games for his new team. By the time the NHL resumed play in January, 1995, Joseph no longer fit into Tampa's plans and he was picked up on waivers for his second tour of duty with the Penguins. He was a solid two-way defender with the Pens before he was placed on waivers and claimed by the Vancouver Canucks where he performed solidly in 1996-87.
Early in training camp in September 1997 he was signed by the Philadelphia Flyers as a free agent but injuries limited his playing time. After spending most of the 1998-99 season in the minors, Joseph signed with the Ottawa Senators prior to the next season. The Sens were too deep and Joseph ended up playing 38 games for the Vancouver Canucks before he was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes late in the year. The veteran split the 2000-01 schedule between Phoenix and the Atlanta Thrashers.
