Jullee Joshua, a 54‑year‑old librarian at a high school in Dearborn, Michigan, has built a quiet life balancing books, family and a lifelong passion for hockey. Her early love of the sport began in childhood, when she chose the rink over figure skating despite her parents' preferences.
Her skill at the faceoff circle earned her a reputation that carried her to two national championships and a spot on the roster for the 2026 USA Hockey‑Long Drink Adult Women’s National Championships, where she continued to compete at the highest level of adult women's hockey in the United States.
A Mother’s Dual Legacy
Though she raises her two sons alone, Jullee has never let their ambitions eclipse her own. Dakota Joshua, now a forward with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Jagger Joshua, a standout for the Rochester Americans, credit their mother’s relentless scheduling and encouragement for keeping their dreams on track.
When Dakota scored his first NHL goal against the Anaheim Ducks on March 1, 2021, he paused the celebration to send a video message to his mother, a moment that underscored the deep bond forged by countless early‑morning practices and late‑night travels.
Jullee’s own hockey story began in high school travel leagues, continued with a partial scholarship to Northeastern, and later a move to Mount Holyoke College for club hockey. The discipline and teamwork she cultivated on the ice have informed every facet of her life, from library work to parenting.
Today, she still laces up her skates whenever her equipment allows, planning to stay on the rink as long as she can, while continuing to juggle her library duties, motherhood and the occasional national tournament.