Norris helped Team USA capture the 2017 U-18 World Jr. Championship gold medal, recording three goals and four assists in seven games as the team's alternate captain. He ranked tied for the team lead in goals and T-3rd in points during the tournament.
"Josh plays a solid two-way game and we really like his skating ability," Director of Scouting Tim Burke said. "He plays the game at a very quick pace thanks to his high hockey IQ and sees the ice well. We think he can become a very useful player for us and are excited to select him with the 19th selection."
The six-foot-one, 195-pound native of Oxford, Michigan, was named to USA Hockey/CCM All-American Prospects Game in September 2016, and has committed to play at the University of Michigan in the fall. His father, Dwayne, was drafted in the ninth round of the 1990 NHL Draft by Quebec, and played for Team Canada at the 1994 Winter Olympics. In addition, Norris played with Sharks Head Coach Peter DeBoer's son, Jack DeBoer, at the USNTDP this past season.
Norris was ranked No. 34 overall amongst North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
The Sharks currently hold seven selections on Day Two of the 2017 NHL Draft, which will resume tomorrow at 7 a.m. PT on NHL Network. San Jose currently holds picks in the second (49), fourth (123), sixth (159, 174), and seventh (205, 212, 214) rounds.
