Joe Pereira returns to BU as associate head coach

By Mark Fraenkel

Following the hire of Jay Pandolfo as the next head coach of the Boston University men’s hockey team, BU announced yesterday that Joe Pereira would return to Commonwealth Avenue as associate head coach for the 2022-2023 season.

“I’m excited that Joe is joining our staff,” Pandolfo said via press release on Thursday. “As a former captain and national champion here, Joe knows what it takes to win at BU and understands what it means to be a Terrier. He will be a terrific addition to our program and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

After spending the last nine seasons with the University of Connecticut, Pereira will return to his alma mater. Pereira served as an associate head coach at UConn, where he assisted Mike Cavanaugh in building the program into a contender in Hockey East.

This past season, UConn made the Hockey East championship game at the TD Garden –– a testament to the work of Cavanaugh and Pereira.

Pereira, like Pandolfo, won a national championship during his playing career with the Terriers. Additionally, both Pereira and Pandolfo served as captains of their respective teams.

“I’m thrilled to come back to BU,” Pereira said in the press release. “I’d like to thank Coach Pandolfo and Director of Athletics Drew Marrochello for this opportunity. I plan to bring my knowledge and love of the great sport of hockey to this role and help Coach Pandolfo and the student-athletes develop a hockey program the entire BU community will be proud of and support.” 

Following his playing career at BU, Pereira played professionally in the American Hockey League, overseas in Sweden, and in the East Coast Hockey League.

Once his playing days were over, Pereira coached the club hockey team at Sacred Heart University and was the director of scouting for  Madison Avenue Sports and Entertainment.

Per the BU Athletics website, director of hockey operations Doug Friedman, goaltending coach Brian Daccord, and video coach Jon Sherman are all still members of the coaching staff.

Len Quesnelle is no longer listed as a member of the coaching staff. With Pereira’s hiring as associate head coach, BU will most likely find an additional assistant coach to fill out the coaching staff.