NCDC Die-Hards is a series of articles profiling signed and returning NCDC veterans preparing for the 2024-25 season.
By Joshua Boyd / NCDCHockey.com
Jack Bartfield enjoyed making the Dineen Cup Finals so much in 2023-24, he was only too happy to re-sign with the Ogden Mustangs for 2024-25 and go after the Cup again.
“We established several team goals at the beginning of the season and making the Dineen Cup was one of them,” said Bartfield, a 2004-defenseman from Bloomington, Minn. “While we fell short in overtime, it was a great experience and going into my second season, we will work hard every day to make it back and hopefully win this year. Scoring the game-winning goal in Game 1 was a great experience and something I will not forget. It was especially memorable as I had my family and my Ogden family there watching in person.”
Bartfield joined the Mustangs last year after an outstanding four-year career with Academy of Holy Angels, which he captained in 2022-23, when he scored 51 points in 27 games. With the Mustangs, Bartfield registered a 5-16-21 line in 44 regular season games, plus four points in the playoffs.
“Overall, I thought my season was a good learning experience on and off the ice. Coming from high school to moving out of state and living with a family, meeting new people and learning new systems was eye-opening,” said Bartfield. “I was very fortunate to come into a situation with a strong leadership in Dimitri Voyatzis and Teddie Hember, where I was able to jump in and contribute immediately.”
Bartfield put up 71 blocked shots and an average of seven defensive takeaways per game over 54 regular season and playoff games, and he also finished a +12.
“I came into Ogden being known as an offensive defenseman. I was able to develop my defensive game more while at Odgen. Not only during on-ice sessions, but was able to work with Coach [Kenny] Orlando off ice to review game footage and working through scenarios on what I can improve on,” added Bartfield.
After such a season of growth, Bartfield knew that his logical move was to return to Utah and continue to build what he and fellow returning Mustang teammates like Ethan Hall began to build last year.
“I had some other teams reach out about returning to the NAHL, but re-signing with Ogden was a no brainer for me,” said Bartfield. “The coaching staff and my billet family have been great, and I made some of the strongest friendships with my teammates. I didn’t want to be anywhere else. Seeing as we fell short, there’s unfinished business this season.”
Bartfield and his Mustangs teammates were the first Mountain Division team to face a New England or Atlantic team when they faced the eventual Dineen Cup Champion South Shore Kings in the finals. Their 7-3 Game 1 was a huge statement for not just their team, but the first-year Mountain Division as a whole.
“The NCDC competition is strong and the style of play is vast between the Mountain and the East Teams. Every game is against strong competition and there are no easy wins. From a scouting perspective, we had a showcase in Idaho Falls where college coaches attended and of course the Dineen Cup had a ton of colleges there,” said Bartfield. “Throughout the season, I heard from colleges who either saw me in person or watched online. Behind the scenes, I know the coaching staff is helping to talk to colleges on our behalf.”
And he also can’t wait to skate back out on the Weber County Ice Sheet surface in front of a throng of loyal Mustang fans every home game.
“The Mustang community is like no other. To play in front of 1,000+ fans every home game is exciting. The city and fans have welcomed us with open arms and the team gives back with regular volunteering with the youth in schools,” he said. “We also had the opportunity to work with the youth hockey teams during the season which is fun watching kids improve throughout the season.”
As this is his final season of junior eligibility, Bartfield will work to step up again in order to seal his NCAA hockey future.
“I have started to take some college visits and have had some initial conversations with coaches. I am looking for a New England-based school where I can major in Business or Economics,” he said. “New England is my second home and I would love to be close to my extended family.”
The NCDC wishes Jack Bartfield and the Ogden Mustangs the best of luck in the 2024-25 season.
