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High School: Don Bosco Prep '02 |
General Manager Joe Ballance will be entering his 15th year with the William Paterson University Pioneers. During his tenure as head coach, Ballance has led the Pioneers to six championships ('10,'11,'12,'13,'16,'18), including four consecutive Super East Collegiate Hockey League (SECHL) Championships (2010-2013). He guided the Pioneers to the SECHL championship game in his first 10 seasons as head coach. He also has led the Pioneers to 8 ACHA National Tournament appearances in 9 seasons at the ACHA D2 level. Under Coach Ballance, the Pioneers advanced to the ACHA National Final Four and placed 3rd in the country. Joe has been part of the ACHA Ranking Committee staff and has led the SECHL All-Star team competing in the All-Star Challenge. The Pioneers finished #5 in the country for their second best finish in school history in the 2017-18 season.
Ballance's coaching experience includes 15 years of coaching a variety of programs around the tri-state area, including the Give 'Em Nothing Goaltending School, local high school programs, and the North Jersey Avalanche. Joe also served as a private goaltending consultant who has helped many goaltenders advance to the elite ranks of Prep school, juniors, collegiate, and professional hockey. Coach Ballance is also actively involved throughout the year with the USA Hockey Program and is part of the USA Hockey Atlantic-District coaching staff. Coach Ballance holds a USA Hockey - Level 4 Advanced Coaching Card.
Coach Ballance was recognized as the ACHA Division 2 Coach of the Year for the Northeast region in 2010-2011. He reached the 100th win milestone in his fourth season behind the Pioneer bench. He has since eclipsed the all-time wins record of 291 for head coaches at WPU. In 2018-2019, Coach Ballance was awarded the Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association (“ECHA”) Division 1 coach of the year in just the teams second season at the D1 level.
Growing up in Northern Jersey, Joe played youth hockey for the NJ Devils and North Jersey Avalanche. He attended Don Bosco Prep where he was the starting goalie for the varsity tier one-hockey team where he received both academic and scholastic awards. Joe went on to attend Montclair State University from 2002 thru 2006 where he was a vital part of the team's 2003 Championship title in the MACHA division. He was named top goaltender of the league. While at Montclair, Joe received numerous awards and accolades for his on-ice performance and academic success. In 2005, while playing for Montclair, Joe was invited to practice with several NHL players and was a minor league prospect. A 2007 graduate of Montclair State, Joe earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Coach Ballance works for an international bank in the Tri-State.
Career Record: 291-79-3 (2009-2022)
2021-2022 Season
Overall Record: 20-6-1
2020-2021 Season:
Overall Record: 4-0-0
2019-20 Season:
Overall Record 17-8-2
2018-19 Season:
Overall Record 14-11-1
2017-18 season:
Overall Record 31-2-1
2016-17 season:
Overall Record 20-5-3
2015-2016 season:
Overall Record 24-8-0
2014-2015 season:
Overall Record 30-5-0
2013-2014 season:
Overall Record 26-7-1
2012-2013 season:
Overall Record 20-6-1
2011-2012 season:
Overall Record 29-4-2
2010-2011 season:
Overall Record 29-7-0
2009-2010 season:
Overall Record: 27-10-1
Team Accomplishments:
2010 SECHL Champions vs. Montclair State University
2011 SECHL Champions vs. Siena College
2012 SECHL Champions vs. Siena College
2013 SECHL Champions vs. New York University
2016 SECHL Champions vs. New York University 2018 SECHL Champions vs RPI
8-Mile Cup Champions (vs. Montclair State) (09/10, 10/11, 12/13, 13/14, 16/17, 17/18)
SECHL Regular Season Champions (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018)
ACHA National Tournament Appearances (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
