Career
Cannata was selected by the Canucks in the sixth round, 173rd overall, of the 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft after his freshman season at Merrimack where he played in 23 games. Internationally, Cannata has represented the United States at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship in Kazan, Russia. Amateur
Joe Cannata played high school hockey at Boston College High School.
In his junior year he helped lead the team to its second consecutive Super Eight Championship.
Shortly after the victory he was invited to attend a try out for the U-18 United States NTDP. This was followed by an invitation to play for Merrimack College in the Hockey East Conference. Cannata made his collegiate debut with the Merrimack Warriors on October 18, 2008 against Army.
He stopped all 44 shots to become the first goaltender in school history to register a shutout in his first career game. In his junior and senior years he was regularly regarded as one of the top goalies in the Hockey East Association conference.
Professional
On March 21, 2012, Cannata signed an entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks.
On April 2, 2012 he signed an amateur try-out contract with Vancouver"s AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves. He made his professional hockey debut on April 15 for the final regular season game for Chicago. He was subsequently released from his tryout contract on April 16 as he was ineligible to play for the team in the playoffs.
Cannata will return to Merrimack where he will complete his Business degree.
On April 25, 2013 Cannata was called up to the parent Vancouver Canucks.
