Joé Juneau, who played at Rensselaer from 1987 to 1991, has been selected as one of six recipients of the prestigious NCAA Silver Anniversary Award for his collegiate and professional achievements.
The Silver Anniversary Award annually recognizes distinguished individuals on the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of their college athletics careers.
Joining Juneau as 2015 recipients are Abby Cheng, Chris Howard, Russell Maryland, Dikembe Mutombo, and Steve Smith. The NCAA will recognize the honorees at the Honors Celebration during the 2016 NCAA Convention on Jan. 15 in San Antonio, Tex.
Juneau, an aeronautical engineering major from Pont-Rouge, Que., who spoke very little English upon arrival to campus, enjoyed a tremendous collegiate career before having an outstanding NHL career.
At RPI, Juneau compiled 69 goals with 144 assists for 213 points in 124 games, leading the team in points all four years. He was also the Engineers’ captain in 1990-91.
A fourth-round draft pick (81st overall) of the Boston Bruins in 1988, Juneau played for the Bruins, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators, Phoenix Coyotes and Montreal Canadiens. He amassed 156 goals and 416 assists for 572 points in 828 games, never spending one day in the minors.
Since retiring following the 2003-04 season, Juneau has been active as a humanitarian, working with the youths of the Canadian Arctic, creating the Nunavik Youth Hockey Development Program, which encourages academic progress and provides Inuit children with avenues to play and enjoy the sport of hockey. Ten years later, Juneau remains active as an instructor, coach, educator, coordinator and director of the program, which has had more than 500 participants.
He has also served his native Canada in a variety of ways, including as Assistant Chef de Mission for the Canadian Olympic Team at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
