For Joé Juneau ’91, returning to RPI is always special. This weekend was extra meaningful, as the distinguished alumnus was just the second person inducted into RPI hockey’s Ring of Honor.
“To live a night like this and to have close people next to you … It’s awesome,” said Juneau, who brought close to 70 family members and friends back with him. Though Juneau was in Troy for the Black Friday weekend, he was honored during the first intermission of Saturday’s game against the Princeton Tigers. He gave a quick speech, and a banner revealing his jersey number, 9, was unfurled on the west wall of Houston Field House.
For the ceremony, Juneau also brought a few friends on the ice with him, including former teammates Graeme Townshend and Bruce Coles, and Coach Buddy Powers—“The coach who saved my career,” he said.
After a very thankful speech in which he expressed gratitude to his former teammates, coaches, family, and fans, he spent a few minutes signing autographs by section 33.
“When I look up at that banner, I think of so many great memories and so many people,” said Juneau. “I had to hold myself back.”
Juneau’s induction into the Ring of Honor doubles its membership, with Adam Oates’ number 12 rising to the rafters last season. Juneau, who played at RPI from 1987-1990, racked up 69 goals and 144 assists in 124 games. He was taken 81st overall by Boston in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft and racked up 104 points in his rookie season for the Bruins.
Juneau, who didn’t speak English when he came to RPI, got his degree in aeronautical engineering and flies his own plane in his free time. He retired from the NHL before this season and now works as a partner with Harfan Technologies, a Quebec-based consulting firm.
He was also around for Black Friday, and he took part in the year-long head shaving promotion. He sheared sophomore Jake Morissette’s head after the game.
