Grandville High School’s head ice hockey coach, Joel Breazeale, has been named the Michigan High School Coaches Association (MHSCA) State Boys Ice Hockey Coach of the Year.
Breazeale will be formally recognized on Nov. 9, 2025, at the MHSCA State Awards Luncheon at the Great Hall Banquet & Convention Center in Midland. The MHSCA is a 70-year-old professional organization of nearly 25,000 athletic directors and coaches across Michigan. Its Coach of the Year awards are based on coaching performance, program success and contributions to school and community.
For Breazeale, the recognition is about more than wins and losses.
“It’s simply an affirmation of consistency and perseverance in messaging, which I’ve always admired in other coaches across all sports,” he said. “Our staff has been together now for 15 seasons, and that consistency shows through in the dedication all our staff has for our players and their development as young adults and student-athletes.”
Breazeale said his favorite part of coaching comes down to one word: relationships. “I love the relationships with my players, with my staff and with our fellow high school coaches,” he said. “The high school hockey community is special in how we support and promote each other’s players. Coaching-wise, I absolutely love the development process and breaking down the core elements of an individual skill or tactic and how it translates and transfers into the game.”
Breazeale also credits his wife and coaching staff for his success. “Any success or recognition I’ve had comes from the support of my amazing wife, Kate, who has always encouraged me to follow my passion and place all faith in God and His plan for us and our family. She’s the real coach in the family,” he said.
He also praised assistant coaches Rob Pratt, Don Underwood, Mike Salliotte and Alex Martel. “Rob and Don have been with me from the very beginning, 15 seasons now. They are phenomenal coaches who are most importantly exceptional men, husbands and fathers first, thus providing role models for our players for a lifetime. There is no success without them.”
Superintendent Roger Bearup and Grandville Public Schools congratulate Coach Breazeale on this well-deserved statewide honor!