quote:

Originally posted by Who Cares:
I was informed this weekend that Joe was moving to NJ, so I was trying to find out where he was coaching and I stumbled upon this mess. My son played in Louisville for both the Storm and the Stallions when we lived in Louisville. I have never really spent any time with Joe, so I cannot really comment on any interaction with his players or his teams.
I find it admirable that former players are lashing out and sticking up for him. I find that normal and I admire those who have spoken up. More should stick up for what they believe.
All I can say is since my son left Louisville; I have a different view of the Hockey world and I have had an actual conversation concerning Joe with other coaches and here are the excerpts:
• Me: “You said that you were a Junior Coach in Montana; did you happen to know Joe L.? “
• USA Hockey Official: “I have known Joe for a long time, interesting guy. Is he still coaching?
• Me: “He is coaching in Louisville, KY, where my son used to play.”
• USA Hockey Official: “That’s right, that’s where he ended up. How are things going there?
• Me: “Well, not sure. We have since moved, but once he arrived the hockey world was never the same. “
• Ivy League Head Coach who walked up to talk to USA Official: “Are you talking about Joe Liquori? Man that is one crazy guy. Don’t get me wrong, I like Joe, but he is not all there. “
• Me: “I thought so too. I made the decision not to put my son in a position for Joe to coach him. The one skating clinic my son attended when Joe moved to town was more than a 10 year old should have to put up with.”
• USA Hockey Official: “Joe knows hockey but his antics have really hurt him wherever he has coached. He can’t seem to control himself. “
• Ivy League Head Coach: “That sounds about right. Joe does know the game, but I don’t think I would let him coach my kids.” MOVED ONTO WHAT MY SON NEEDS TO DO TO ADVANCE “TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
I can honestly say that my son has been coached by some very good coaches in Louisville and I have no doubt that Joe knows hockey. I really think there are other coaches in Louisville who know hockey better than Joe in Louisville. My son has been coached by high level of hockey coaches (AAA, Juniors –USHL, Junior A & B) since moving to the east coast and his coaches are more like other coaches in Louisville and less like Joe.
Even at the junior level where my son played last year, his coach taught fighting and even instigated it on more than one occasion but it was to protect a teammate or rally the team if they were playing sluggish. Fighting is part of hockey, but not youth hockey, you can only fight at the junior level, and there they do it with respect and dignity and to help win a game, not protest a call. Coaching is more than knowing a sport, it is about trust, respect and dignity and being able to coach a particular sport.