Soaring Eagle player named UHSHA hockey MVP

Courtesy photo

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April van der Sluys

Juan Diego Catholic High School sophomore Wyatt Hanna has been named the 2022-23 Utah High School Hockey MVP. Wyatt’s stats include leading the Utah High School Hockey Association in goals scored, first in game-winning goals and second in total points, with 46.

“This is a great honor for Wyatt but also for the Juan Diego hockey team,” said Moe van der Sluys, JDCHS’ head hockey coach. “There are 29 high school hockey varsity teams, and Juan Diego is one of the teams with the smallest numbers in the entire state. Even with only 14 players, we just ended the regular season with a 14-win, 3-loss record.”

On the Soaring Eagle team “we have a lot of very talented players,” the coach added. “With that said, Wyatt, who is only a sophomore, has risen in the ranks of scoring in the entire state of Utah and has 10 more goals than the second-place player. He’s an exceptional talent and not only plays forward, but defense when called upon. In my 13 years of coaching Juan Diego hockey, this is the first MVP we have had. A simply amazing accomplishment.”

Wyatt, whose father Brian Hanna also plays hockey, first put on skates and pads when he was just 3 years old. Even now, the sport is still Wyatt’s first love, said his mother, Destony Hanna.

“It is his favorite sport in the whole world; he would never quit,”she said. “In fact, if you ask what he wants to do, it’s either play hockey or work for ESPN.”

As this year’s MVP, Wyatt will be recognized during intermission before the final All-Star Game on March 8 at the Salt Lake City Sports Complex and will be presented with a plaque and gift card. His name will be engraved on the perpetual trophy that will be on display at the game, and is permanently on display at the South Davis Recreation Center.

April van der Sluys is advancement director of Juan Diego Catholic Schools.