As Duchesne Hockey nears the midway point of their 2025-26 season, they currently sit just one point out of the lead in the St. Charles East Conference despite a very challenging schedule that faced them this season.

Following a 2024-25 season where the team only lost one regular season game all season, the team knew there would be a bit of a rebuild this year with the loss of several seniors from last season who were key contributors offensively.  Last years success led to a more challenging schedule this year with games against hockey powerhouse school such as St. Louis University High, Priory, and Rockwood Summit.  Thus far into the season, Duchesne currently sits with a record of 4-4-1 with two of those losses coming at the hands of the aforementioned powerhouse hockey schools.  

The key wins so far this year have been against MICDS, Ft. Zumwalt West, and a great come from behind tie with conference leading Ft. Zumwalt East.

The biggest surprise so far this season is the balance of contribution from the team.  Through nine games, there are only three players without at least a goal or assist, and two of those are defenders who, typically speaking, do not score regularly in games.  Even more encouraging is the contributions from our Freshmen skaters.  This years team rosters six Freshman, with three of those already contributing goals and/or assists.  Freshman Jansen Smith is one of those Freshman skaters.  He currently has registered three goals and two assists.  Freshman Cooper Richards sits not far behind with two goals and two assists.

The currently scoring leader for Duchesne is Sophomore Alternate Captain Owen Kelsey who has registered eight goals and two assists despite only playing in four games so far this season.  Last season, Kelsey was the league leader for all of Mid States Hockey in the assists category and was consistently in the Top 5 for total points all season.  Senior Captain Liam Daleo is currently second in points on the team with four goals and three assists.

Defensively is where Duchesne has some upper classman leadership with guys such as Ryan Adkerson, Austin Schoene, and Brendan Birkenmeier who are all alternate captains on the team.  Their ability to break up big plays in the defensive zone has definitely helped Duchesne get the wins they have this year.  Sitting behind them are three very talented goaltenders - Senior Dillon Kuhn, Senior Quinn Meyer, and Sophomore Braylon Douglas.  All three goalies have impressive resumes with consistent save percentages throughout their playing time at Duchesne.  Kuhn, who has been a starter in the net since his Freshman year at Duchesne, currently sits 57 saves away from 1000 for his career at Duchesne.

Key games upcoming for Duchesne are on Friday, Dec. 26 when Duchesne will match up with St. Dominic in the third annual Catholic Cup Game.  St. Dominic won the cup the first year.  Last year, because of a tie, they retained the cup by default.  Therefore, Duchesne is looking to take the cup for the first time in this annual ritual game.  December 29 will be Senior Night for Duchesne Hockey.  We highly encourage everyone to be there for this event as we honor our senior skaters.  The final game of the season will come on Friday, Jan. 23 against Holt High School.  After that, playoffs will begin.

The team thanks all of those who have attended a game or more this season.  If you have not yet attended one, don't miss out on the fun of a high school hockey game.  The action and intensity are unmatched when it comes to high school sports.  Come out and support Duchesne Hockey.  You can get the schedule off of this website.

Good luck to the team as they enter the second half of their regular season.  Go Pioneers!!!

The Duchesne Hockey Club opened play this Monday against Fort Zumwalt North. They continue their tournament play on Thursday against Liberty.

You can follow along with them all season long here: https://www.duchesnehockey.com/