Joe Juneau was a standout collegiate hockey player at RPI from 1987 to 1991, where he was a prodigious scorer and playmaker, finishing his NCAA career with 213 points (69 goals, 144 assists) in 124 games. His exceptional performance led to him being named a Top 10 Finalist for the Hobey Baker Award in both his junior and senior years, including the 1990 nomination. During the 1989-90 season, he put up a career-high 70 points (18 goals, 52 assists), becoming only the second RPI player to reach 50 assists in a single season, earning him First-Team All-ECAC and All-American honors. He was later the team captain and a two-time All-American before graduating with a degree in aeronautical engineering.

Drafted 81st overall by the Boston Bruins in 1988, Juneau deferred his professional career to play for Team Canada, leading the squad to a silver medal at the 1992 Winter Olympics where he topped the tournament in scoring with 15 points. He immediately joined the Bruins for a 13-season NHL career, during which he amassed 572 points (156 goals, 416 assists) in 828 regular season games for six teams, including the Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators, Phoenix Coyotes, and Montreal Canadiens. His rookie season in 1992-93 was his most productive, as he posted 102 points (32 goals, 70 assists)—setting an NHL rookie record for assists by a left wing—and was a Calder Memorial Trophy runner-up. Juneau also helped the Capitals reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998.