University of Connecticut Athletics
Men's Ice Hockey
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- joseph.m.pereira@uconn.edu
Joseph Pereira, a native of West Haven, Connecticut, begins his ninth season at UConn and is the longest tenured assistant coach on Mike Cavanaugh’s staff. Pereira has played a significant role in the program’s recruiting efforts during his tenure with the Huskies. On the ice, Pereira will work the the UConn forwards and the Husky power play units on special teams. Prior to the 2018-19 season, he was promoted to Associate Head Coach.
Prior to joining the Huskies as an enthusiastic young coach, Pereira had an impressive hockey resume. He attended high school at South Kent School in Connecticut where he led the team to their first appearance in the New England Prep Division I playoffs. For his efforts, Pereira was inducted into the South Kent Hockey Hall of Fame.
As a highly sought after recruit, Pereira set his sights on Boston University, where he spent his entire collegiate career. In 2009, Pereira was a part of the Boston University team, which won the Beanpot tournament, Hockey East regular season and tournament titles then capped the magical season by capturing the National Championship.
By the conclusion of his playing career at Boston University, Pereira was a two-time recipient of the Bennett McInnis Memorial Spirit Award and as well as being honored with the Albert Sidd Unsung Hero award. Additionally, Pereria earned Hockey East All-Academic honors and the Regina Eiberg Scholarship as the top student-athlete on the team, graduating with a degree in business management.
Pereira’s professional career included stints with the Worcester Sharks and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League (2010-11), as well as the Idaho Steelheads and South Carolina Stingrays of the East Coast Hockey League (2011-2012). In the summer of 2011, Pereira competed professionally in Sweden.
Subsequently, he served as the Director of Scouting for Madison Avenue Sports and Entertainment. However, with Pereira’s knowledge and love of the sport of hockey, coaching was the logical career path he would follow.
As a result, he began his coaching career working with the club hockey program at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut during the 2012-2013 season. His impact was immediate, helping lead the Pioneers to their first-ever Northeast Collegiate Hockey League Championship.
As the Associate Head Coach, Pereira will continue to strive to bring his knowledge and love of the great sport of hockey along with Coach Cavanaugh, the entire staff, and the student-athletes to develop a hockey program the entire UConn community will be proud of and support.
