Green Bay Gamblers assistant captain Josh Dunne is enjoying his best season in the United States Hockey League. Averaging nearly a point a game, Dunne recently committed to Clarkson University. However, Dunne might not even be the best hockey player in his own family. Based on who you ask the best of the Dunne clan is older sister Jincy (20).
“Jincy and I couldn’t be more different when it comes to how we play the game,” says Dunne. “Jincy is a smooth skating, up-tempo, puck moving defenseman. And I’m meat and potatoes, grind it out and crash the net type player.”
At just 16 years old, Jincy was one of the last players cut from the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team. She would have been the team’s youngest player by over three years and only the second player to ever make the team at such a young age. She’d go on to play for the national team at the U18 World Championships a total of three times. Her overtime goal at the 2015 tournament, where she was captain of Team USA, secured gold for the Americans.
After captaining Team USA to the gold medal, Jincy joined Josh on the St. Louis Jr. Blues Midget Minor Boys team. Together they would reach the semi-finals of the national tournament, falling to Team Wisconsin.
“The national tournament that year was played in Green Bay. More ironic was that Trenton Bliss and Carver Watson were members of the team that best us” says Dunne.
Although their paths led them in separate directions, concussion issues would bring Josh and Jincy together. After committing to Ohio State, Jincy missed the entire 2015-16 season due to concussion issues. All in all, she would be away from the game for a total of 581 days. Josh also suffered concussion issues during his rookie season in the USHL, limiting him to just 21 games.
“It was really hard on both Jincy and I to be away from the game for such a long period of time,” says Dunne. “We both love to play and to not be able to do something you love tests your character.”
Both Josh and Jincy have bounced back from injury. Josh is having his best season in the USHL and Jincy garnered 2016-2017 WCHA All Rookie and WCHA Third Team honors.
The younger Dunne siblings look to follow in the footsteps of Josh, Jincy and Jessica (21), the oldest of the Dunne clan, who played three seasons at Ohio State University. Josh has high expectations for each of his younger siblings Josey (15), Josh (14) and Joy (12).
“Josey, Josh and Joy are all very good players,” says Dunne. “Let’s just say none of them are grinders, a finesse style is more their game.”
Josh attributes the family’s athletic ability to their parents, Tom and Tammy both of whom were athletes themselves. Tom played soccer as TCU (Texas Christian University), while Tammy played basketball during her high school career. Because of their athletic past, the Dunne parents have been able to guide and keep grounded their six children through their hockey careers.
“Our parents have always been really influential with hockey,” said Dunne. “They have always tried to help us and gives us any opportunities they could. And with six kids, it is hard to split their time, but they are able to manage it.”
With six siblings playing hockey the Dunne family could field a forward line, defensive pair and the goalie would be pulled for the extra-attacker. Or based on his grinding style, they would tell Josh to stand in the net. Either way I like their chances.
