It would be fair to say that the Gerace family has significant experience when it comes to juggling a wide range of hockey schedules during the autumn and winter seasons.

But this year things are going to be a bit different, because not only will the family look forward to watching daughter Pippy play her senior season on the ice with Cornell University, but it will also have a second college calender to take into account in addition to the many games that will be played by family members with the Jamestown Lakers.

After originally planning to spend one more season with the Southern Tier Xpress, Joey Gerace opted to take his talents elsewhere following the North American Tier III Hockey League team’s dissolution this summer.

Gerace will now have the special opportunity to help build the hockey program of Concordia University Ann Arbor from the ground up, as the Cardinals embark on their first-ever season on the ice with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

On June 23, 2017, university staff released a statement regarding the addition of both men’s and women’s ice hockey programs for the 2018-19 academic year.

“Collegiate hockey, specifically NAIA hockey, is growing in popularity across the country,” said Athletic Director Lonnie Pries via the Cardinals website. “Hockey is especially popular in the state of Michigan, and we’re excited to provide an opportunity for young men and women to participate in this exciting sport while furthering their education.”

On the heels of that statement, Concordia announced on July 26, 2017 that Bridgewater, New Jersey native Ben Kenyon had been hired as the program’s head coach after previously helping to build the hockey program of Lindenwood University-Belleville since 2014.

Another Southern Tier Xpress alumnus, Hunter Kepple, announced his intention to play for the Cardinals on Feb. 18, 2018 with Gerace’s signing following on Aug. 23.

“Joey is a key addition to our inaugural recruiting class. He’s a skilled, quick forward who has a nose for the net as well as creating plays,” said Coach Kenyon in a statement.

While the end of summer may have necessitated a quick change of plans from Gerace regarding his hockey future, there is no doubt that the Jamestown native is feeling right at home after spending his first few weeks on campus in Michigan.

“It wasn’t until late July or early August when I found out about the Xpress,” said Gerace. “By then most kids are already enrolled. That’s only a month before school starts. I’ve been here for three weeks now. We had our orientation week. It’s my third week of school. It all kind of happened fast with the decision and the move and everything.”

In an interesting turn of fate, Gerace and Kenyon first crossed paths at the NA3HL showcase in Minnesota that kicks off every season.

“Coach made a point to come out and see Hunter play in Minnesota,” said Gerace. “I remember I had a good game with my line — I think I had five points. Coach was very honest and open with me. He said if you want to play your last year of juniors I completely understand.”

While the appeal of playing one more season on the ice where he first learned to love the game was a top priority, the closing of that door proved to be the opening of another for Gerace.

In the world of college athletics, the truth is that there are a huge range of variables to consider beyond just finding success on the field or in the arena or on the ice. There is a delicate balance that successful student-athletes must attempt to strike, balancing their work and commitments on many different fronts.

Following the lead of his sister, Pippy, Gerace has learned to take things one step at a time and focus simply on playing the game as best he can while staying fully committed to his role as a student.

“The love for the game is going to keep driving you,” said Gerace. “If you continue to pursue it and dedicate yourself to it, the doors are going to open up for you.”

In spite of the sudden move, Gerace has the benefit of bringing some of his junior experience along for the ride to Michigan. The freshman is currently a roommate of Keppel’s, and the pair can expect to be joined by former teammate Bryan Grant in the 2019-2020 season.

“Honestly, as much as kids say this it is the truth, the staff at Concordia is just unbelievable. They all care about every single student and their success,” said Gerace. “I came and had my official visit and saw the rink and the campus, and I fell in love. It’s a wonderful place.”

The Cardinals hockey programs will call the Arctic Coliseum in Chelsea, Michigan their home, and the men’s program will get its first taste of action at a showcase tournament in St. Louis during the first week of October.

The team will spend the regular season with Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) members Aquinas College, Indiana Institute of Technology, Lawrence Technological University, Life University, Lindenwood University-Belleville and Waldorf University.

As of now, it does not look like there will be any overlap between the Cornell women’s hockey schedule and that of Concordia University, but those inconveniences have never mattered much to the Gerace family.

“We’ll always find a way,” Gerace said. “My parents have always just constantly given everything they have to us, whether it be time or money or resources. They really put a lot of stuff on hold for us.”

That admirable trend appears to be continuing.

Joey’s mother, Gina, already has her hotel room booked for St. Louis.