Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin and Chicago Wolves captain Josiah Slavin revealed how their father’s quiet morning habit of reading the Bible shaped a foundational faith that they later had to claim as their own.
The Kitchen Table Routine That Set the Foundation
Growing up in a household with five children who played hockey meant daily life was marked by constant rivalry. Jaccob Slavin recalled that even dessert could turn into a contest over who secured the biggest cookie. Yet, amid the athletic intensity, another household routine left a far more lasting impression.
Every morning before school, our father sat at the table in the same place, simply reading his Bible in front of us.
Josiah remembered while speaking on the “Jesus Calling” podcast. Watching that daily consistency inspired Josiah to open his own Bible and sit right beside him. For Jaccob, the visual proof demonstrated that a busy family could carve out space for an active relationship with God despite managing the demanding hockey schedules of several children.
Transitioning Faith Beyond the Family Home
Neither brother found that a front-row seat to their father’s discipline automatically secured their personal convictions. When Jaccob moved to Chicago for junior hockey at just 17 years old, he confronted the stark reality of shifting from knowing what Jesus had done on the cross to actually walking close to Him. A Hockey Ministries International chaplain discipled him through that critical first year away from home, helping him move from a superficial, works-centered relationship to a personal relationship with Christ and the freedom that comes through what Jesus has done.
Josiah encountered a similar turning point during his own move to junior hockey in Kearney, Nebraska. After connecting with a Bible study leader who described praying at center ice after games, Josiah adopted the practice himself to thank God for the opportunity to play—a routine he maintains in his professional career.
Leadership and Community Commitment on and Off the Ice
That early foundation now translates into leadership roles and philanthropic initiatives in professional hockey. Josiah signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Wolves in August, leaning into a captaincy where his primary objective is guiding younger skaters toward their own NHL debuts. I want to continue helping these young guys develop and get their opportunities in the NHL,
Josiah stated regarding his mentorship responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Jaccob’s commitments extend deep into civic engagement. Following his King Clancy Memorial Trophy nomination, Carolina highlighted the substantial community work supported by Jaccob and his wife, Kylie, including a $500,000 pledge to Compassion International’s campaign for mothers and babies alongside help providing school supplies to local children.
| Player | Current Franchise | League | Key Leadership / Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Slavin | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | King Clancy Nominee |
| Josiah Slavin | Chicago Wolves | AHL | Team Captain |
