Athlete of the Week: Ryder Mutch

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) – Ryder Mutch is the captain of the Caprock hockey team, and he is leading the Eagles in goals this season. Ryder Mutch is the KREX Athlete of the Week.

Mutch said that some of his best hockey memories happened off the ice.

“Two years ago, when we first had the team, we went to Durango where it was snowing,” he said. “We had a 30-minute snowball fight in front of the hotel. It was awesome.”

Mutch said he enjoys stepping onto the ice. Anytime he does, he appreciates the time with those around him.

“You can do it anywhere in the winter,” he said “You get on a pond with your friends, or you get out on the ice here. It’s not exactly accessible, but you can always have a great time with your friends.”

But when he steps on the ice for Caprock his mentality changes.

“I’m here to work my hardest and do the best I can, and if perhaps something doesn’t go right, I’m still here to learn,” Mutch said.

This team has learned a lot over the past three years. Caprock is in its third season, and the team has to deal with the challenges of building a program.

“With a new team comes a lot of new players and getting that moving has been a challenge,” Mutch said.

Through those three years, Caprock has shown growth. That is something that Mutch and the team are proud of.

“Most of the mountain towns don’t respect us because we’re new,” he said. “We weren’t very good last year, so just the thought of proving that we are a good team is what drives us.”

The team is 3-3-1 heading into 2026. Mutch said the team is what has made his success this season special.

“Everybody on the team is awesome,” he said. “I get to play a sport I love with the people I love.”

In the midst of year three, Mutch appreciated that the team is making some difference.

“Hockey has always been kind of small and underrepresented here,” he said. “It’s really nice to see hockey growing.”

Mutch thanked his parents for their endless support. He said his parents always had to sacrifice and take the time to drive him to hockey and he appreciated that.

Mutch shouted out his linemates, Kody Knott and Justin Lee, for their play this season. He said they are deserving of recognition.

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