Joe Dziedzic Hockey

Joe Dziedzic is Minneapolis native and was named Minnesota’s “Mr. Hockey” in 1990 during his senior year at Edison High School and was drafted #61 overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1990 NHL Amateur Draft.  Joe went on to star at the University of Minnesota and following his collegiate career, played professionally for five years alongside NHL legends like Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr.  Since retiring in 1999, Joe’s reputation as a coach has been built through his success coaching in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League, through the founding of Team Reebok AAA Hockey (now TC Penguins) and through his JD Hockey Skills Training programs.  Coach Dziedzic has trained thousands of hockey players at all age groups across the region, including many current college and pro players. Joe joined Academy Hockey in 2010.

Joe grew up in Northeast Minneapolis playing for the Edison Youth Hockey Association. He attended Edison High where he excelled in three sports. During his senior year he was named Minnesota's Mr. Hockey and the Star Tribune's Metro Football Player of the Year.

The NHL Pittsburgh Penguins selected Joe as their 2nd pick in the 1990 draft.

"Though injuries cut short Dziedzic's 1993-1994 season, Pittsburgh scouts saw enough to be convinced he has a chance to add some toughness and size on the team's left side."
Joe Dziedzic Hockey Trading Card © Classic Games, Inc.

Joe then played four years for the University of Minnesota under coach Doug Woog. He was part of the 1992 WCHA League Championship team, and also was part of the 1994 Frozen Four Tournament at the St. Paul Civic Center.

For the next five years Joe played pro hockey mostly with the Pittsburgh Penguins where he played alongside NHL Legends Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr.

"A hard-working defensive forward, Dziedzic surprised many experts by earning a spot on the 1995-1996 Pittsburgh roster. He scored his first NHL goal in a 3-0 victory over Washington on November 18, 1995."
Joe Dziedzic NHL Rookie Card © Upper Deck

Though an eye injury closed the door on Joe's playing career in 2000, another door was opened as he began training players and created Joe Dziedzic Hockey.

Joe Dziedzic Hockey has trained hundreds of players of all ages, from college to squirts. Joe Dziedzic Hockey Camps are spread throughout the metro area. He also offers 1 on 1 private instruction, small group lessons and team training. Recently, Joe started a unique 3 on 3 hockey league where the game is played on a smaller ice sheet to promote quick decision making and quick hands.

"Just breaking into the superstar-laden Pittsburgh Penguins lineup should be a source of pride for any young skater. He has seen time on the wing aside 'Le Magnifique' Mario Lemieux, an honor for a player at any age."
Joe Dziedzic NHL 1998-96 Trading Card © Fleer / Skybox International

From 2004 to 2009 Joe had coached some of Minnesota's best high school players on Team Northwest in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League. The 2008 team lost the championship game to Team Southwest 3-1 at New Hope Arena. Many of these players have moved on to play D1 and D3 hockey. 

 In January of 2010, Joe accepted the director of hockey and head coaching position at St Paul Academy and Summit School. This team combines players from SPA and Mounds Park Academy. Joe likes the challenge of rebuilding the program to its former glory days of 60's and 70's. SPA has a rich tradition of academic excellence and it is Joe's mission to build a successful winning hockey program as well. 

Train Hard, Train Smart  -  Train with a Pro

Train with the former

• Pittsburgh Penguin
• Minnesota Golden Gopher
• MN Mr. Hockey

JOE DZIEDZIC!

Quick Hands

Quick Feet

Quick Mind

 Joe Dziedzic Hockey is a skills development program designed to help you improve the most important physical skills in the game: Skating and Puck Handling. Training in this program will do great things for your development as a player. There are no short cuts or gimmicks that will instantly improve your skills. You have to put the time in and must work for your success.

We sweat the details of skill development and take pride in the individual attention needed to elevate your game.  We restrict our camp numbers to ensure that each player receives personalized instruction.

Any player that is interested in looking for more detailed instruction has the choice to get a copy of the JDAnalyzer, a personal performance video analysis CD. This is where Joe breaks down the pros and cons of the player's skating stride or other skill sets (shooting, stick handling, skating agility, etc). These cd's are very helpful for players who want to see exactly what they need to work on. "The video doesn't lie."

Joe Dziedzic Hockey is a multi-faceted hockey training program that offers a variety of options to fit your individual training needs including:

• Development  Camps (Spring, Summer, Fall)
• Private 1 on 1 Instruction
• Small Group Training
• Team Training (Association/AAA Hockey)
• 3 on 3 Skills NIght

Joe has learned from the best, played with the best and now his passion and knowledge is ready to be passed on to you. It won't be easy - that's not what you want anyway. It will be fun, you will learn and you will get better!