Portland Junior Pirates

Joakim is the General Manager for the Maine Hockey Group and the Portland Junior Pirates organization. In his role as General Manager, Wahlstrom will be responsible for the oversight and management of the entire organization and rink facility, working closely with its Youth hockey program, Junior hockey program, and their respective staffs and volunteers.

Mr. Wahlstrom has extensive experience in the business world, serving in positions ranging from Executive VP to COO and CEO. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1987 from Stockholm University School of Business in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1991, he received a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Maine. In addition to his two undergraduate degrees, Mr. Wahlstrom received his Masters degree in Advanced Management from Harvard University in 2005.

In addition to his wide-ranging business experience, Joakim’s 22 year hockey career has been uniquely impressive. In his native country of Sweden, Mr. Wahlstrom played in the Swedish Elite League from 1976 to 1986 and spent ten years with the AIK and DIF in Stockholm. He has two junior world appearances in both Austria and Moscow, and played professional hockey in Sweden for seven years. At the University of Maine, he played Division I hockey, as well as soccer and football. An impressive all-around athlete, Mr. Wahlstrom also has international experience in sailing and skiing.

Joakim and his wife, Penny, reside in Cumberland, ME with their daughter, Alexandra (10) and their son Oliver (8).

Jay Pecora is entering his sixth season as the Junor Pirates' Junor A Head Coach. In his role, Jay also works closely with the Junior Pirates youth teams directing the teams' weekly skill sessions.

Jay played his schoolboy hockey, with Sean, at Austin Preparatory School in Reading, MA. Following Austin Prep, Jay attended Worcester Academy in Worcester, MA as a post-graduate. He was named to the 1992 New England Prep School All-Star Team and selected the school's male "Athlete of the Year", while playing in the Division II championship vs. St. Marks that season.

Jay then moved on to play collegiate hockey at New England College. Jay averaged over a point a game as a defensemen. He was the team's captain for 3 out of 4 seasons and received the prestigious honor as the 1997 New England Hockey Writers Division II "Player of the Year". That same season, NEC selected Jay as their male "Athlete of the Year".

Jay then went on to play five years of professional hockey both in Europe and North America. His most memorable moment came while playing for Kitzbuel Die Adler in Austria, winning a silver medal in 1998.

Jay, 35, resides in Saco, Maine with his wife Marcie, daughter Bryn (5), son Nolan (3), and son, Brady (1).

Ryan begins his third season with the Portland Jr Pirates and first as the Head Coach of the Junior B team. The past two seasons, Ryan has served as the Assistant Coach of the Junior Pirates Junior A team, as well as, Recruiting Coordinator. In addition to his head coaching recruiting responsibilities this season, Ryan will also serve as Director of Player Development for the entire program. In this position Ryan will assist all PJP youth coaches with their practice planning and execution and work closely with Junior A Head Coach Jay Pecora and General Manager Sean O’Brien with college placement of the Junior Pirates junior players.

Born and raised in Reading, Massachusetts, Ryan played his school boy hockey at Reading Memorial High School under legendary coach Peter Doherty. In his senior year Ryan helped the Rockets to a 3rd place finish in the M.I.A.A. Super 8 Tournament and a # 11 national ranking in USA Today. Also during that time Ryan played half seasons for the Matt O’Neil Hockey Club in the Eastern Junior Hockey League under coaches Jim Umile, brother of UNH Head Coach Richard Umile and Mike Adessa III. After graduating in 1998, Ryan went on to play 2 seasons of junior hockey for the Tyngsboro/Nashua Huskies in the Eastern Junior Hockey League under head coach Paul Jenkins. Ryan helped lead the Huskies to playoff births in both years and was named a Top 10 defensemen by the Red Line Report, as well as, received the 2000 Huskies Invitational MVP.

Ryan began coaching at his alma mater, Reading High School, and was responsible for the defensemen, PK units, and the pre-season conditioning program. After three seasons at Reading, Ryan moved over to North Reading to start their J.V. program and assist the Varsity program under long time mentor Frank Golden. During his time at North Reading High School, Ryan was hired by the Northern Cyclones to be the Director of Recruiting for the 1st year junior team. Ryan spent 3 seasons with the Cyclones serving many capacities such as Head Coach of the Midget AAA team and Assistant Coach of their Junior B team.

Ryan has also worked for numerous camps and clinics such as Pro –Ambitions and Super Skills. Ryan has also been selected by USA Hockey to coach in the New England Yankee Conference for the past two years.

Ryan resides in South Boston, MA with his long time girlfriend Calie.

Sean, the former General Manager of the Maine Hockey Group, LLC and the Portland Junior Pirates organization, now serves as an Advisor to General Manager Joakim Wahlstrom for the Junior Pirates organization. O'Brien remains a partner of the Maine Hockey Group, LLC and will be responsible for Business Development.

Prior to founding the the Portland Junior Pirates with Jay Pecora in 2003, Sean spent 1999 - 2003 as the U.S. Scout for the NHL's Florida Panthers. He evaluated players at the highest levels of hockey throughout North America and Europe. While with the Panthers, Sean served on the selection committee (1999 - 2002) for college hockey's most prestigious individual prize, The Hobey Baker Award.    

Sean played his high school hockey at Austin Preparatory School in Reading, MA. In his senior year, Sean was selected as a Hockey Night In Boston All-Scholastic and a N.E.P.A. High School All-American. Prior to attending college, Sean played one season with the Junior Bruins organization, a member of the Eastern Junior Hockey League.

Sean then moved on to play his collegiate hockey at New England College, where he graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration. Sean became a member of NEC's 100 Point Club, finishing as the school's 8th leading scorer with 115 career points.

Following graduation, Sean had a successful professional career playing in Germany. 

Sean, 34, resides in Kennebunk, Maine with his wife Keri, son Jack (3), and daughter, Katherine (1).