Jr. Ducks’ Pee Wees make themselves at home in great outdoors
The great outdoors agrees with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks’ Pee Wee AA1 team.
The Jr. Ducks went 5-0 to win the 12U AA division at the Del Mar Outdoor Tournament Series in December.
The 2005 birth year team rallied to defeat Orange County Hockey Club 2-1 in the championship game.
“We came from behind, then had to defend a one-goal lead at the end – it was a great challenge for the kids,” Jr. Ducks coach Laddy Kohn said. “It’s good to be in situations like that to learn.”
The event was staged at the Del Mar Grand Arena at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
“Any chance for California players to do something different is great,” added Kohn. “A lot of work went into the tournament and it was a cool setup. It was a unique experience for the kids.”
Through the first weekend in January, the Jr. Ducks were sitting in second in Flight 1 of CAHA’s Pee Wee AA Division with a 10-3-1 record.
“We have a good mix of kids,” Kohn said. “Some have played with me since Squirts, some are new and some played AAA last season.”
The variety of start times forced all of the participants to adapt.
“The morning games were colder than the kids were used to, and there was some fog that rolled in for some afternoon games,” Kohn said.
Team members include Lucas Ananias, Evan Barela, Brayden Boucher, Matthew Burgner, Ameen Ghosheh, Jacob Gregory, Ivan Gutierrez, Jakub Kohn, Jason McKee, Ian Strause, Alexander Troubh, Lino Viau, Matthew Welsh and Christian Yi, as well as goaltenders Chance Legaspi and Gavin Zdonek.
In addition to Kohn, the coaching staff includes Guy Viau and Albert Yi. Stephen Ananias is the manager.
— Chris Bayee
(Jan. 22, 2018)
