Juan Diego hockey team back on ice

By Catherine Garrett | [email protected]

After years of playing independently—joined with other high school programs because of low participation—the Juan Diego Catholic High School hockey team has been thrilled to be back in their own uniforms this season.

“I can’t tell you what a different feel it is in so many ways to compete in our own jerseys,” said head coach Moe Van der Sluys, who is in his 12th year with the program. “Playing as an independent is hard because you don’t really know your teammates very well, but these players are bonding like never before. It has reinvigorated our program and has been amazing and really cool to see.”

Despite having just 14 players on the team, the players and parents were on board with fielding their own squad this season. “We called a meeting and they said, ‘If we’re Juan Diego, we’ll play,’” Van der Sluys said.

This year’s group has been young with just five upperclassmen on the roster. “We only have two seniors and have a very young team. But, these kids are leaders, so was actually tough to choose captains,” Van der Sluys said. “It’s really cool to see and it sets the stage for not only success this year, but in future years.”

Juan Diego finished the regular season in seventh place out of 22 teams in Division 2 in Utah High School Hockey with a 9-3-3 record. The Soaring Eagle squad has defeated Salt Lake Stars, Tooele, UCI-North, Viewmont, Davis County Independent Eagles, Riverton and Bountiful while tying Oquirrh, East and Murray, and losing to Southern Stars, South County, Weber County, Skyline, Cache Valley, Bingham and Mountain Ridge.

In the state playoffs that began Feb. 7, JDCHS defeated Davis County Independent 5-2 and advanced to play Park City Feb. 12 where they lost in a 3-2 “nail-biter,” according to Van der Sluys. “Against Park City, it was an action-packed game and they came from behind to score the game winner in the last minute.”

In the double-elimination state tournament, Juan Diego went on to face Northern Utah Independent game Feb. 16 and won 5-2. “NLI was a skilled, fast and physical team,” Van der Sluys said. “They scored two goals in the first period, but our players adjusted and scored the next five goals.”

JDCHS faced Bingham Feb. 23 (after press deadline).

Captain Tommy Filldore has led the team this season with 29 goals and 15 assists.

“His quiet leadership is an inspiration on the ice through his skill and desire to help the team be successful,” Van der Sluys said. “He is only a junior so we look forward to seeing him another year as well.”

Alternate captain Matt Odell, a sophomore, is second on the team in scoring with 21 goals and has also recorded 15 assists. “Matt has shown some great dedication to the team and has some great leadership skills,” Van der Sluys said.

Matt’s younger brother, Jake Odell, is third on the team in scoring with 17 goals this season.

Also on the Soaring Eagle squad this season are alternate captains Connor Davis and Nathan Schilly along with William Conley, Weston Eder, Wyatt Hanna, Zachary Meehan, Kailey Mulcahy, Bryson Newport, Goalie Pool, Thomas Rock, Miles Sears and Jackson Tenzer.

Van der Sluys is assisted by former player Matt Alter and April Van der Sluys, Moe’s wife, who “mans the penalty box.”

“I have such a passion for this sport and watching these kids develop and grow up and become young adults,” Van der Sluys said. “Hopefully, we are making a difference.”