Few people have the perspective on Tier I hockey in California that August Aiken has.

The new coach of the Anaheim Jr. Ducks Midget 18U AAA team was a member of the state’s first team to win a Tier I USA Hockey Youth Nationals championship. The former forward was also a member of the L.A. Jr. Kings’ Pee Wee AAA team that won it all in 2000.

Aiken brings that perspective as well as a playing career that spans the ranks of junior, Division I college and professional hockey to the Jr. Ducks.

“We are excited to have August leading our 18 team,” Jr. Ducks director of coaches Craig Johnson said. “He brings both experience as a player and as a coach after helping our 16U AAA team to two state titles and a trip to nationals.

“August also cares for the development of each and every player on and off the ice and is a person who players will enjoy playing for.”

Aiken has been a Jr. Ducks assistant coach on the Midget 16U Major team the past two seasons, and has worked with 16U coach Alex Kim, also the club’s director of player personnel, for four years at various camps around the world.

“I’m excited to get started and very fortunate to get this opportunity with the Jr. Ducks,” Aiken said.

After playing youth hockey in California, Aiken played three seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League, twice finishing as his team’s second-leading scorer (in 2007 for Westside and 2008 for Trail). He then played at the University of Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA) before embarking upon a four-year pro career in the ECHL, Southern Professional Hockey League and Federal Hockey League.

David Walker, a longtime pro player who coached the Jr. Ducks Bantam Minor team to a 2016 CAHA state title, will be Aiken’s assistant.

The Jr. Ducks’ 18U AAA team won a Pacific District title in March and advanced to nationals for the first time in program history.

— Chris Bayee