Last Updated on November 11, 2026 by Janet Asprin
Roman Josi is a Swiss professional ice hockey defenseman and captain of the Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on June 1, 1990, in Bern, Switzerland, Josi is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished Swiss hockey players in NHL history.
Beyond his successful hockey career, Josi is a devoted husband and father of two children. His wife, Ellie Ottaway Josi, is an American model, while his parents, Peter and Doris Josi, have supported his sporting ambitions since childhood.
Roman also has an older brother named Yannick Josi, who played competitive ice hockey in Switzerland. His family remains an important part of his life, with strong connections to both Nashville and his hometown of Bern.
Roman Josi’s Wife: Is He Married or Dating?
Roman Josi is married to Ellie Ottaway Josi, an American model who previously worked in the fashion industry. The couple married on July 20, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Before their marriage, Ellie was Roman’s longtime girlfriend and fiancée.
The couple met in Nashville during the fall of 2015 and gradually developed a relationship.
They have since established a family together and welcomed two children, Luca and Ivy.
Who Is Ellie Ottaway?
Ellie Ottaway Josi is an American model and former fashion industry professional originally from Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan.
She is the daughter of Andrew Ottaway and Dr. Paula Ottaway.
According to an engagement announcement published by Grosse Pointe News in March 2019, Ellie studied at Belmont University in Nashville and worked in the fashion industry.
Her modeling career involved traveling for professional assignments, including periods spent in Florida.
Ellie eventually established Nashville as her home, where she met Roman and developed their relationship.
Although she is married to a famous NHL player, Ellie has maintained her own identity through modeling, charitable activities, and family responsibilities.
How Did Roman Josi Meet Ellie Ottaway?
Roman Josi and Ellie Ottaway met during the fall of 2015 at Acme Feed & Seed, a popular restaurant and entertainment venue in downtown Nashville.
According to a December 2019 interview published by Nashville Lifestyles, the couple were introduced through a mutual friend.
Roman developed an interest in Ellie, but the beginning of their relationship was delayed because she traveled to Florida for modeling work.
They eventually started dating and established a serious romantic relationship.
Their shared experiences in Nashville helped strengthen their connection.
In December 2017, Roman proposed to Ellie, and the couple began planning their wedding.
Roman Josi and Ellie Ottaway’s Wedding
Roman Josi and Ellie Ottaway married on July 20, 2019, at The Estate at Cherokee Dock in Nashville, Tennessee.
Their wedding brought together relatives and friends from Switzerland and the United States.
According to Nashville Lifestyles, Ellie wanted to incorporate Roman’s Swiss heritage into the ceremony.
With assistance from his family, she translated her wedding vows into German.
Roman was surprised and delighted when Ellie began speaking German during the ceremony.
The couple later described exchanging vows as one of their favorite memories from the celebration.
Several hockey figures attended the wedding, including NHL forward Kevin Fiala.
The event marked an important milestone in Roman’s personal life after several successful seasons with Nashville.
Ellie Josi’s Support for Her Husband
Ellie has supported Roman throughout the demanding schedule associated with professional hockey.
As Nashville’s captain, Josi frequently travels across North America for games and team activities.
His wife manages important family responsibilities while he is away.
In a February 2026 interview with Blick, Roman praised Ellie for her dedication to their children and the stability she provides at home.
He explained that spending quality time with his family had become increasingly important after becoming a father.
Ellie also expressed admiration for Roman’s parenting, describing him as an attentive father who prioritizes his children whenever he is home.
The couple have additionally supported charitable activities in Nashville, strengthening their connection to the community.
Roman Josi’s Children: How Many Kids Does He Have?
Roman Josi and his wife Ellie have two children: a son named Luca James Josi and a daughter named Ivy Josi.
Both children were born in Nashville, where the family has established its permanent home.
Their names were publicly confirmed during the Nashville Predators’ ceremony celebrating Roman’s 1,000th NHL game in January 2026.
1. Luca James Josi – Roman Josi’s Son
Luca James Josi is the eldest child of Roman and Ellie Josi.
He was born on February 13, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee.
His arrival was announced shortly before a Nashville Predators game against the Detroit Red Wings.
According to Swiss media reports, Roman became a father for the first time when Ellie gave birth on a Saturday evening.
The couple celebrated the milestone with family members and shared the news publicly.
Luca has grown up surrounded by professional hockey and has frequently attended Nashville Predators events.
However, Roman has explained that his son has developed interests beyond ice hockey.
In 2026, the family discussed how Luca enjoyed playing sports and participating in recreational activities.
Roman has emphasized that he wants his children to explore their interests without feeling pressured to follow his professional career.
2. Ivy Josi – Roman Josi’s Daughter
Ivy Josi is the youngest child and only daughter of Roman and Ellie Josi.
She was born in July 2022.
The couple announced that they were expecting their second child in February 2022.
Ellie shared the pregnancy news through a social media photograph featuring Luca beside a sign announcing that he would soon have a younger sister.
The announcement generated excitement among fans of the Nashville Predators and Swiss hockey supporters.
Ivy subsequently joined the family during the summer of 2022.
Like her older brother, she frequently accompanies her parents to hockey-related events and family gatherings.
In February 2026, Roman and Ellie participated in a family interview with Blick that featured their children playing together at home.
Roman explained that spending time with Luca and Ivy helped him maintain a healthy perspective on professional hockey.
Luca and Ivy’s Relationship With Their Swiss Grandparents
Although Luca and Ivy live in the United States, they maintain close relationships with their grandparents in Switzerland.
Roman’s mother, Doris Josi, regularly travels from Bern to Nashville to spend time with her grandchildren.
The children also accompany their parents to Switzerland during the NHL offseason.
In a July 2026 interview with GlücksPost, Doris explained that Luca and Ivy affectionately call her “Gogo.”
The nickname originated when Luca was younger and had difficulty pronouncing the Swiss German word for grandmother, “Grosi.”
The family enjoyed the nickname and continued using it.
Doris has described spending time with her grandchildren as one of her greatest pleasures.
She regularly plays with them during family visits and enjoys their energetic personalities.
How Fatherhood Changed Roman Josi
Becoming a father has influenced Roman Josi’s approach to balancing professional hockey and family life.
In a February 2026 interview with Blick, he explained that being emotionally present for his children was particularly important.
Because the NHL schedule involves frequent travel, Roman tries to dedicate as much attention as possible to Luca and Ivy whenever he returns home.
He also participates in school activities and recreational sports with his children.
During the January 2026 ceremony honoring his 1,000th NHL game, Luca and Ivy joined their parents on the ice.
The milestone became even more meaningful because Roman could celebrate alongside his wife, children, parents, and older brother.
Roman Josi’s Parents
Roman Josi was born to Peter Josi and Doris Josi in Bern, Switzerland.
Both parents have athletic backgrounds and played important roles in introducing their sons to competitive sports.
His father was a soccer player, while his mother competed in swimming at the Swiss national level.
Roman and his older brother Yannick grew up in an environment that encouraged participation in various sports.
Roman Josi’s Father: Peter Josi
Roman Josi’s father is Peter Josi, a former competitive soccer player from Switzerland.
Peter helped introduce Roman and Yannick to sports during childhood.
According to a 2022 NHL.com interview, Peter played soccer, while his sons eventually developed stronger interests in ice hockey.
Roman initially preferred soccer and considered pursuing the sport more seriously.
However, his interest in hockey increased after watching his older brother play.
Peter encouraged his children to choose sports they enjoyed rather than forcing them to follow his own interests.
Peter Josi’s Role in Roman’s Hockey Development
Roman grew up in Ostermundigen, a community near Bern, where the family lived only a short distance from PostFinance Arena.
The arena served as the home of SC Bern, one of Switzerland’s most successful professional hockey organizations.
Peter regularly accompanied his sons to the ice rink, helping them attend practices and games.
In a January 2026 NHL.com interview, Peter recalled that Roman initially stopped playing hockey because he preferred soccer.
However, he eventually returned to hockey after being inspired by Yannick.
When Roman was approximately ten years old, his coaches began recognizing his exceptional abilities.
Peter later explained that Roman frequently played against older children because his skills were advanced for his age.
By his teenage years, the family realized that professional hockey had become a realistic possibility.
Peter Josi’s Involvement With SC Bern
Peter also developed a professional connection with SC Bern.
In 2020, Roman Josi and former Swiss NHL defenseman Mark Streit acquired minority ownership stakes in the organization.
Because Roman continued playing professionally in North America, Peter represented his son’s interests on the club’s board of directors.
The arrangement allowed the family to maintain strong connections with the organization where Roman began his professional career.
Peter also attended numerous important NHL games, including Roman’s 1,000th career appearance in January 2026.
Roman Josi’s Mother: Doris Josi
Roman Josi’s mother is Doris Josi, a former competitive swimmer who represented Switzerland at the national level.
Her athletic background influenced Roman’s development, particularly his work ethic and competitive personality.
In interviews with Nashville Predators media, Doris recalled that Roman was an energetic and determined child who enjoyed competing against his family members.
She also supported Yannick’s interest in hockey, regularly accompanying both sons to practices and games.
According to a 2020 Nashville Predators family profile, Doris frequently participated in recreational hockey games with her children.
She was sometimes the only mother skating alongside the boys.
Doris Josi’s Support Throughout Roman’s Career
Doris played an important role in supporting Roman’s ambitions from childhood.
She frequently drove him to training sessions and helped him balance his responsibilities.
As Roman progressed toward professional hockey, his training schedule became increasingly demanding.
Nevertheless, Doris encouraged him without placing unnecessary pressure on his performances.
In July 2026, she explained in a GlücksPost interview that Roman had always been motivated to train and rarely needed encouragement to attend practice.
She expressed pride in his achievements but emphasized that his personal happiness remained more important than professional success.
Although Roman lives thousands of miles away in Nashville, he maintains regular contact with his mother.
The two communicate through telephone calls and messages several times a week.
Doris also visits Nashville whenever possible and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.
In January 2026, she joined Roman’s family for the ceremony celebrating his 1,000th NHL game.
Roman Josi’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Roman Josi has one publicly confirmed sibling, an older brother named Yannick Josi.
Yannick also played competitive ice hockey in Switzerland and was an important influence on Roman’s decision to pursue the sport.
His identity is confirmed by the Nashville Predators, NHL.com, and Swiss hockey publications.
1. Yannick Josi – Roman Josi’s Older Brother
Yannick Josi is the older brother of NHL captain Roman Josi.
He was born on October 12, 1988, in Bern, Switzerland.
Yannick grew up alongside Roman in Ostermundigen, where both brothers developed interests in soccer, tennis, and hockey.
As the eldest child, Yannick introduced Roman to many of his favorite activities.
According to an NHL.com interview published in January 2026, Roman initially accompanied Yannick to hockey training.
Although Roman briefly preferred soccer, watching his older brother play eventually encouraged him to return to the ice.
The brothers spent considerable time competing against each other during childhood.
Yannick Josi’s Hockey Career
Like Roman, Yannick pursued competitive ice hockey in Switzerland.
He developed his skills through the SC Bern youth organization before continuing his playing career in the country’s lower divisions.
According to Elite Prospects, Yannick played as a defenseman and represented HC Bern Altstadt in Switzerland’s third division.
His player profile identifies him as retired from competitive hockey.
Although Yannick did not establish the same NHL career as Roman, his involvement in the sport helped shape his younger brother’s development.
Are Roman and Yannick Josi Close?
Roman and Yannick maintain a close relationship despite living in different countries.
In a September 2020 Nashville Predators family profile, Yannick recalled that the brothers rarely fought during childhood, although they were extremely competitive when playing sports.
They regularly participated in street hockey, soccer, and tennis together.
Yannick also attended important events in Roman’s professional career.
In October 2022, he joined their parents and other family members when Nashville visited Bern for an exhibition game against SC Bern.
On January 24, 2026, Yannick again joined Roman on the ice during the Predators’ ceremony celebrating his 1,000th NHL game.
The occasion reflected the family’s continued support for Roman’s accomplishments.
Roman Josi’s Family Background and Childhood
Roman Josi grew up in the Bern region of Switzerland, surrounded by relatives who enjoyed competitive sports.
His parents encouraged physical activity, while his older brother helped introduce him to ice hockey.
Roman initially played both soccer and hockey before concentrating on hockey around the age of ten.
He developed his skills through SC Bern’s youth system and eventually made his professional debut with the club during the 2006–07 season.
In 2008, the Nashville Predators selected him 38th overall in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft.
He remained in Switzerland for several seasons before moving to North America.
Josi made his NHL debut in 2011 and gradually developed into one of the league’s most accomplished defensemen.
In 2017, Nashville named him team captain.
His greatest individual achievement came during the 2019–20 season, when he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman.
On January 22, 2026, Josi played his 1,000th NHL regular-season game, becoming the first player in Predators history to reach that milestone while spending his entire career with the organization.
Two days later, Nashville honored him during a ceremony attended by his wife Ellie, children Luca and Ivy, parents Peter and Doris, and brother Yannick.
Despite spending much of his adult life in the United States, Roman maintains strong connections to Switzerland and regularly returns to Bern with his family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roman Josi’s Family
Who is Roman Josi’s wife?
Roman Josi is married to Ellie Ottaway Josi, an American model originally from Michigan. They married on July 20, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Who was Roman Josi’s girlfriend?
Roman Josi’s longtime girlfriend was Ellie Ottaway. The couple met in Nashville in 2015 and married in 2019.
How many children does Roman Josi have?
Roman Josi has two children with his wife Ellie: a son named Luca James Josi and a daughter named Ivy Josi.
When was Roman Josi’s son born?
His son, Luca James Josi, was born on February 13, 2021, in Nashville.
Who is Roman Josi’s daughter?
Roman Josi’s daughter is Ivy Josi, who was born in July 2022.
Who is Roman Josi’s father?
His father is Peter Josi, a former competitive soccer player who has also represented Roman’s interests on the board of directors of Swiss hockey club SC Bern.
Who is Roman Josi’s mother?
His mother is Doris Josi, a former Swiss national-level swimmer who supported Roman and his brother throughout their youth hockey careers.
Does Roman Josi have siblings?
Yes. Roman Josi has one older brother named Yannick Josi, who also played competitive hockey in Switzerland.
Who is Roman Josi’s brother?
His brother is Yannick Josi, born on October 12, 1988. He played hockey with SC Bern’s youth organization and HC Bern Altstadt.
Are Roman Josi’s parents former athletes?
Yes. His father played competitive soccer, while his mother represented Switzerland in swimming at the national level.
Where does Roman Josi live with his family?
Roman Josi lives with his wife and two children in the Nashville, Tennessee, area. The family also regularly visits relatives in Bern, Switzerland.
A dedicated ice hockey journalist, Janet Asprin delivers sharp, detailed coverage of the NHL season. From evaluating trade deadline moves and line combinations to analyzing power plays and postseason standings, Janet brings a fresh, structured perspective to every game. She focuses on translating high-speed rink strategy into compelling stories and actionable insights for hockey fans.
