By Alexis Demopoulos
Defenseman Jack Bartfield will make one of his hockey dreams come true, with the help of the NCDC and the Ogden Mustangs. Bartfield, a native of Bloomington, Minn., will move on to Skidmore College to play NCAA hockey after this season at the Division III level for the 2025-26 season.
Bartfield, who is in his second season with the Mustangs, could not imagine playing anywhere else as he hopes his team can finish the mission this season of hoisting the Dineen Cup. In 54 games last year including 10 playoff games, Bartfield put up 25 points (7G, 18A). He re-signed with the Mustangs for the 2024-25 season and in 22 games so far has 14 points (2G, 12A) and has been a key blue-liner for them. The Mustangs currently stand at 18-5-1 and hold first place in the Mountain Division entering Friday’s action.
“This is my second season in Ogden,” said Bartfield. “It is great to come back to a team where you are familiar with the coaches and have so many returning players. I would also like to recognize the amazing community in Ogden that has been so welcoming and supportive of all of us players. To have a thousand plus fans for every home game is amazing.”
“Overall, the organization is great,” said the Bloomington, MN native. “Coach Kenny Orlando, Coach Nick Dreyer and Coach Ray Tremblay have been valuable resources in helping me improve every day. Not only on the ice but also off the ice by watching film and giving me constant feedback. We are very fortunate to have so much coaching experience on the bench this year. My main reason for coming back is to win the Dineen Cup. We were close last year and with this team and coaches we are working hard every week to get back out East and represent the Mountain Division.”
Bartfield is grateful for his two seasons playing the NCDC, because the exposure that the league gives a player on any given night is what helped him earn his commitment.
“Playing in the Frozen Futures Showcase and the Dineen Cup was great exposure to the colleges I was interested in,” said Bartfield. “Every game during the regular season features high powered, physical teams and there always seem to be colleges in attendance or watching the games online.”
Bartfield started communicating with the coaching staff at Skidmore right before the Frozen Futures Showcase in October. The staff came to watch him play at the showcase and discussion about the school and playing hockey took off from there. Bartfield said that the coaches “liked my playmaking ability, the offense I brought from the blue line and my ability to shut down a rush.”
Though Bartfield has not had a chance to tour the school in person due to hockey season, he is familiar with the area due to having a lot of extended family living on the East Coast. He is planning a visit soon, but overall he likes the quiet setting, the academics and the overall size of the school. Bartfield plans to major in business with a concentration in marketing or finance.
“Skidmore is a well known hockey powerhouse that is always competing in the conference,” said Bartfield. “Skidmore also offers a strong business school and I really like the campus setting and surrounding Saratoga Springs area.”
As a defenseman, Bartfield brings offense to his position and is continuing to work on his defense in the zone before he gets to Skidmore next season.
“I feel I have great vision on the ice to make the smart pass or join the rush when it makes sense,” said Bartfield. “Lastly, my skating ability allows me to close quickly and maintain strong gaps. I am not 6 feet so I need to use my body correctly to position myself to move the man in front of the net or use a quick stick to stop a rush. Off the ice, I continue to go to the gym to get stronger and have regular film sessions with my coaches.”
After falling short of the Dineen Cup a season ago, Bartfield’s main goal is to win a championship with his teammates this year.
“My goal is the same as it has been all season and that is to win the Dineen Cup,” said Bartfield. “The commitment to Skidmore is great and I appreciate the time the coaches at Skidmore and Ogden put in to get me this offer, but right now I am focused on improving my skills and helping our team win.”
The NCDC congratulates Jack Bartfield, his family, the Ogden Mustangs and Skidmore College for his commitment.
