OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Warriors are pleased to announce the tender signing of defenseman Jack Bartfield for the 2023-24 season.
“The Warriors have been so successful and are so well-run,” said Bartfield. “I knew right away I wanted to be a part of this team.”
Bartfield, 18, earned the Tri-Metro Conference Defenseman of the Year award while playing for the Academy of Holy Angels Stars during the 2022-23 season and put up 51 (25G+26A) points in 27 games from the back end.
“I worked really hard for it, but I had a great team around me as well,” said Bartfield. “It was our team’s first year being in the conference so it made it even better that we had a successful season. It was great to have my team around me when I won it- all the credit goes to them.”
Bartfield got a later start to playing hockey than most hockey players, beginning his hockey journey at 8 years-old by shooting pucks in his basement.
“I was always a baseball player, and played some basketball now and then,” said Bartfield. “It wasn’t until I saw all my friends playing hockey that I wanted to try it out. I thought ‘Wow, I really like this.’ and I fell in love with it. I was obsessed. It didn’t take me too long to get it all down and I was a natural.”
The Eden Prairie, Minnesota, native moved closer to Bloomington (Minnesota) to attend Holy Angels Academy and play hockey. He describes himself as an offensive defenseman who puts the defensive side of the game first.
“I build up from the D-zone,” said Bartfield. “I am offensively driven, but the ultimate goal is to not be scored on at all- I keep that in the back of my mind. I have an active stick and like to create plays in the offensive zone to give the team the best chance to score, but it doesn’t matter how many you score. The winning team is the one who plays the best defense.
Bartfield is eager to work on his golf swing, and prepare for the upcoming year in the offseason.
“I love the offseason because it’s so hockey focused,” said Bartfield. “Workout in the morning, play some hockey, go golfing and repeat every day.”
When asked about the opportunity to play as a member of the Oklahoma Warriors next season, Bartfield echoed his initial eagerness.
“It sounds like a great fit for me,” said Bartfield. “I’m really excited.”