Coach/Volunteer of the Month - October 2008

Joe has been calling Bennett Rink home for many years as both a player and a coach of many youths throughout the years. Although hockey is not a traditional sport in his family, Joe passes on the hockey tradition and inspiration through his belief that "winning is not a goal, but a result."

What team do you coach? West Haven Youth Hockey Pee Wee "A" Team.

When did you first start playing hockey? I started skating in 1956 and playing hockey in 1960 for Greater New Haven Youth Hockey Association.

Who was the first team you played for? Knudsen Dairy.

What position did you play? Defense.

Who was your favorite hockey player when you were growing up? "Rocket" Richard.

When and why did you start coaching? During the 1969-70 season I started coaching West Haven Youth Hockey after graduating and playing hockey for West Haven High School.

Is hockey a sport that has been passed down in your family? No! I was the first. My younger Brother Steve played four years at Notre Dame of West Haven and now his two sons 8 and 9 that play in Hopkinton, MA.

What is your favorite age group of players to coach? Having coached from Mites to the college level the "Pee Wee's" are my favorite age group.

What is the oldest piece of hockey equipment you still use? An original Joffa helmet.

What do you do went you aren't spending time at the rink? Golfing and working, but not in that order.

How do you stay warm on the bench during games? Lots of movement and a warm jacket.

What have you learned from your players? If you ask your players to do more than their skills allow you usually get more than you really expected as a coach. Don't be afraid to teach skills and systems that might be considered over their head because they end up surprising you.

How do you think hockey can help kids develop as people? I always tell my team it's like a trial run at life with no consequences. Hockey is game that takes a lot of commitment, where people count on one another and decisions need to be made at a moment's notice.

They can learn how much hard work it takes to compete and that everyone makes mistakes or bad decisions at one time or another but they can be overcome and the key is to learn from them.

I think playing hockey is one the best tools a young person can have to learn about life while having fun and making friends.

How do you encourage your team when they are not playing to their full potential in a game? My favorite saying when things aren't going our way and we need to get the momentum in our favor is: "The harder you work the luckier you get."

Is there a coach from when you played youth hockey who has remarkably influenced your own coaching style? I would have to say my high school coach Art Crouse Sr.

What do you like most about being a coach? The opportunity to teach young players everything I can about ice hockey on the ice and life off the ice.

Getting them to believe that "winning" is not a goal but a result.

A great saying I read on a coach's room wall that I like have shared with all my teams through the years is: "Success looks easy to those who weren't there when you were earning it."