Get to Know Joe Dunlap
2/26/2024 3:40:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
Joe Dunlap first learned to skate around age two, alongside his brother, Jake. Although his parents did not play hockey, they introduced him to it at a young age. Dunlap would go to his local rink during his childhood and skate, before transitioning to learning to play hockey.
Being from New Hampshire, Dunlap didn't have an in-state NHL team to watch, but he was close enough to Boston to become a Bruins fan. His favorite player growing up was Patrice Bergeron, who Dunlap shared he met at a jersey signing when he was younger. He also looked up to Milan Lucic growing up and said his current favorite player is David Pastrnák.
Growing up, Dunlap played multiple sports aside from hockey, including football, lacrosse and golf. He played football until his freshman year of high school and lacrosse and golf through his time in high school. Dunlap shared that he quit his other sports to focus on hockey because of the time commitment it takes to play hockey at an elite level.
Dunlap shared he thoroughly enjoyed his time playing hockey when he was younger. He said "I had so much fun. I made so many good friends throughout my years." Dunlap also added that while he was a little smaller than some of the other kids, that didn't stop him.
Starting in U16, Dunlap began playing for the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs, where he spent two years before going to prep school to begin high school. He attended the New Hampton School for two years before leaving for his junior year. Dunlap then moved to Illinois to play for the Central Illinois Flying Aces in the USHL, where he played with current teammate Stephen Halliday.
After one year with the Flying Aces, the team was disbanded, and Dunlap joined the Fargo Force in the USHL. His one year on the Force was impacted by COVID-19, which led him to leave the USHL and attend Ohio State for the next season.
Dunlap was originally committed to play hockey at another Division I school, but decommitted after his first year playing junior hockey. He took a gamble on himself to play better during his second year in the USHL and ended up receiving an offer from Ohio State.
Dunlap is currently majoring in economics. He described balancing hockey with schoolwork as "very challenging," because of their packed athletic schedules. He said, "It's important to time manage and get schoolwork done at the beginning of the week because our games are on the weekends which makes it difficult."
During his free time, Dunlap enjoys playing video games with his roommates, specifically Call of Duty. He also loves dogs and will go over to his brother Jake's house to be with his dog. Matt Cassidy, Dunlap's teammate, also described him as having an 'entrepreneurial mindset.'
In the off-season, Dunlap likes to play golf and go to the beach. He enjoys jet skiing and surfing during the summer and shared he is excited to get back to doing those activities, especially now that he is recovered from surgery last year.
Dunlap loves being part of this team and has loved his time at Ohio State. He values all the friendships he's made and especially enjoyed being able to play college hockey this year with his brother. However, hockey is not the only side of him. He loves dogs, and his friends and family, who Dunlap shared have made his experience at Ohio State the best it can be.
