Joe Tallari had a distinguished college hockey career at Niagara University from 2000 to 2004. During his junior season in 2002-03, he had a breakout year, recording 26 goals and 29 assists for a total of 55 points in 34 games. His performance led to him being named the CHA Player of the Year and a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. He was the first player from Niagara to receive this honor. In his senior season, he served as team captain and helped Niagara win the 2003-04 CHA Championship.

After his collegiate career, Tallari played professionally for several years, primarily in the AHL and ECHL. He had stints with the Hartford Wolf Pack, Cleveland Barons, and Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the AHL, as well as the Johnstown Chiefs and Las Vegas Wranglers in the ECHL. In 2007, he moved to Europe to play for the Manchester Phoenix in the EIHL, where he had an outstanding season, finishing as the league’s second-highest goal scorer. He later played in Italy, winning the Serie B Championship with HC Eppan Pirats Internorm in 2010 before retiring.