In 1953, Joe starred on one of the best ever hockey teams in Walpole’s history. He led the 1953 Walpole hockey team to the Bay State League Championship and then won the State Championship of Massachusetts, defeating along the way very highly touted teams from Natick, Arlington, and Malden Catholic in front of huge crowds at the Boston Garden. Joining five Walpole team mates on the Bay State All-Star team, Joe scored a key goal in their 4 – 3 victory over the Eastern Mass All-Star team and then Joe scored all three goals as Walpole shut out a highly favored Greater Boston All Star team.

After graduating from Walpole High School, Joe’s hockey exploits continued at Boston College where he was captain of the hockey team in 1957. In his years at B.C., his team won two Bean Pot Championships and played in one NCAA Tournament in Colorado.