Joe Piccone: Developing Athletes, Building Leaders
With over 15 years of coaching experience at the AA, AAA, Junior, and University levels—along with his role as a D1 coach evaluator and lead development coach for various organizations in the GTHL—Joe brings expertise, passion, and a relentless drive to develop players at the highest level.
Joe’s journey began as a player, but his true calling has always been coaching. Now, he’s committed to shaping the next generation—turning potential into power. He understands that the teenage years are tough for kids yet these years are an exciting bridge between minor hockey and the next level, and his mission is to guide players across it. With discipline, accountability, and a strong work ethic, he helps athletes not just master the game, but develop the confidence and leadership skills that will serve them for life.
Joe isn’t just a coach—he’s a mentor. His coaching philosophy is built on trust, belief, and the right balance of structure and support. He knows that when players feel valued and challenged, they rise. He leans on data-driven insights and instinctive decision-making to optimize development, using video analysis and statistics to fine-tune performance, while also listening to players and trusting their abilities.
But above all, Joe teaches that success isn’t just about talent—it’s about heart, hard work, and accountability. Every practice, every game, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow. He pushes his players to embrace the grind, stay disciplined, and take ownership of their game—qualities that will carry them far beyond the ice.
With Joe, players don’t just learn to play better—they learn to become better. He doesn’t just build athletes; he builds future leaders. Are you ready to take your game to the next level? With Joe, the future starts now.
TESTIMONIALS
"I had the pleasure of being coached by Joe for two seasons while playing at Ontario Tech University for the men’s hockey team.
During that time Joe not only showed how committed he was to make us better hockey players but also better people. He always had a knack for giving advice in the best possible way to ensure the message was received in a constructive manner. His knowledge of the game and amazing people skills helped him to accomplish this day in and day out during his time as my coach. Joe always made coming to the rink something we looked forward to and always made sure that we left feeling better about ourselves whether about personal lives, our hockey lives or both.
He especially helped me stay focused on my goals and achieve two of my best years of hockey in a long time, and for that I will forever be grateful. There are truly not enough good things I could say about Joe, and I feel privileged to call him not only my once coach but a friend that I hope to have for life."
- James White - Peterborough, Ontario, Ontario Tech University Men's Hockey (USports), Central Ontario Wolves Alumni, QMJHL, OJHL Alumni
"I had the privilege of playing under Joe Piccone during my time with the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, and I can confidently say he made a positive impact in shaping both my development as a hockey player and my growth as a young adult.
One of the things I appreciated the most about Joe was his unique ability to connect with players. Joe was able to keep us motivated while making sure we never lost sight of the joy of the game. He has a way of breaking things down and makes it easy to improve without overcomplicating things. Whether it was skill development, game strategy, or other aspects where he could share his hockey knowledge, he always had the right approach and knew how to help.
Joe is the kind of coach that was a friend first and coach second. He genuinely cared about everyone individually and what was going on in their life. From the first time I met him, his energy and positive attitude made a big difference in the locker room and our team culture. I’m grateful to have had the chance to play under Joe, and I know any team would be lucky to have him. I have no doubt he will continue to make a meaningful impact on the players he coaches."
- Nolan Ford - Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Ontario Tech University Men's Hockey - USports, NOJHL Alumni
"I had the pleasure to have Joe as my assistant coach for my first 2 years at Ontario Tech University. Joe was always someone that you could rely on and ask questions to. I always knew that I was going to have a great time when Joe was there, he was really good at keeping the group close and making it special every day at the rink. Having Joe as a coach was truly a privilege and I can say with confidence that he made everybody better around him."
- Gabriel Bernier - Victoriaville Quebec, Ontario Tech University Men's Hockey (USports), QMJHL Alumni
"I was fortunate enough to work with Joe for three years with the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks Men’s Hockey Team. Joe came to the rink every day with an excited energy and a positive attitude.
Joe is a player’s coach who prioritizes building relationships. He cares about the development and positive mindset of his players, which I believe is super important in today’s hockey world. His attitude promotes the development of great people, who just happen to be skilled and passionate about hockey.
I’m appreciative of the time I got to work with Joe, and would endorse him as an excellent coaching candidate for any hockey program."
- Sean Meyers - Head of Scouting & Recruitment, Queens University Men’s Hockey (U Sports), Director of Scouting and Player Development, Pickering Panthers (OJHL)
Keep an eye on this page as we continue to post updates about Joe!