A member of Team PBR, the reigning champions of A-League, Joel's ability on the ice is apparent from the moment the puck drops, as evidenced by his 7 goals in 8 games during the Spring season.
How long have you been playing hockey?
- I have been playing hockey for 22 years.
How did you get your start playing hockey?
- I started playing street hockey when I got my first set of roller blades on my 6th birthday. A friend down the street had a street hockey stick, so I got one to play with him. That started a neighborhood-wide culture where all the kids started playing street hockey. We would do yard work and other chores around the neighborhood to raise money for nets, equipment, and jerseys. Then, we started playing nearby neighborhoods in street hockey games. At age 9, I joined my first organized league. After my first season, I was asked to come tryout for the league's All-Star team. I made the team, and I haven't stopped playing since!
I grew up in Portland, Oregon. After high school, I came down to Eugene to attend Lane Community College. I then transferred to the University of Oregon and played on the hockey team there. During the offseason, I would play in the local adult league here in Eugene.
- I have been playing hockey for 22 years.
How did you get your start playing hockey?
- I started playing street hockey when I got my first set of roller blades on my 6th birthday. A friend down the street had a street hockey stick, so I got one to play with him. That started a neighborhood-wide culture where all the kids started playing street hockey. We would do yard work and other chores around the neighborhood to raise money for nets, equipment, and jerseys. Then, we started playing nearby neighborhoods in street hockey games. At age 9, I joined my first organized league. After my first season, I was asked to come tryout for the league's All-Star team. I made the team, and I haven't stopped playing since!
I grew up in Portland, Oregon. After high school, I came down to Eugene to attend Lane Community College. I then transferred to the University of Oregon and played on the hockey team there. During the offseason, I would play in the local adult league here in Eugene.
Like many folks at the rink, Joel works tirelessly to help grow the game of hockey. When he's not lighting the lamp in A-League, you can usually find Joel donning the zebra stripes and suiting up as a referee, as he oversees all of the referees in the RHL.
What do you do with your time when you're NOT playing hockey?
- When I'm not playing hockey, I enjoy spending time with my wife and three year old son, Max. For my job, I am currently a recreation coordinator for the City of Eugene. I coordinate an after school program for kindergarten through 5th graders, and I also teach preschool. I'm currently pursuing my Masters in Education to be an elementary school teacher. I also enjoy snowboarding, golf, wakeboarding, and basketball.
What do you love MOST about hockey and the RHL?
- My favorite thing about playing hockey at The Rink Exchange is the camaraderie and community that has been established. There are many great things about the sport of hockey, but one of the greatest is the relationships that are built. In other adult league sports such as basketball or soccer, you can still enjoy the sport you love and continue to play... but you don't get the "locker room" moments that you get with the RHL. Getting geared up for the game with your buddies then enjoying a cold one after the game is what it's all about! Win or lose, we still booze! Sharing a common interest and building that camaraderie is what it's all about. There truly is no other sport like hockey.
- When I'm not playing hockey, I enjoy spending time with my wife and three year old son, Max. For my job, I am currently a recreation coordinator for the City of Eugene. I coordinate an after school program for kindergarten through 5th graders, and I also teach preschool. I'm currently pursuing my Masters in Education to be an elementary school teacher. I also enjoy snowboarding, golf, wakeboarding, and basketball.
What do you love MOST about hockey and the RHL?
- My favorite thing about playing hockey at The Rink Exchange is the camaraderie and community that has been established. There are many great things about the sport of hockey, but one of the greatest is the relationships that are built. In other adult league sports such as basketball or soccer, you can still enjoy the sport you love and continue to play... but you don't get the "locker room" moments that you get with the RHL. Getting geared up for the game with your buddies then enjoying a cold one after the game is what it's all about! Win or lose, we still booze! Sharing a common interest and building that camaraderie is what it's all about. There truly is no other sport like hockey.
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