Ice Hockey
 Hoping to build on the momentum of their first season’s successes Santa Margarita Catholic High School Ice Hockey program is wasting no time in planning and preparing for the upcoming 2010 season. Read on for further information.
The formation of a JV team. Dennis Hands will be announced as the head coach. Dennis comes to the program with 30 years of ice hockey coaching and playing experience, which includes; Michigan HS Ice Hockey where he earned 1st Team All State and All Class All State Honors. College Ice Hockey, one year at the University of Michigan Dearborn and 3 years at the University of Arizona where his goaltending record was 77-19-1.
With over $500,000.00 spent on athletic training equipment alone, SMCHS has opened its three- story, state of the art athletic training, fitness and weight center on campus for its student athletes. The team plans to announce the hiring of Elvis Kechechian an off-ice strength and conditioning coach to oversee off-ice training at the facility.
The team will also be announcing the return of its coaching staff including; Head Coach Craig Johnson, who’s professional career includes 10 years in the NHL, 4 years in Europe and was a member of the United States Olympic team in 1994, Assistant Coach Mitch O’Brien with 9 years experience as head coach within the Jr. Ducks organization. His coaching achievements include winning the 2007 Quebec Pee Wee World Championships.
The team will also be announcing the start of on-ice clinics for anyone (students or non-students) interested in the program on Tuesday nights at 8:20 PM at Anaheim Ice starting 4-20-10. The cost will be $25 and the teams coaching staff will run the clinics.
The highlights of the team’s inaugural season successes both on-ice and off were many. The team’s Captain Timmy Martin, who has played club ice hockey for 10 years, had this to say about the 2009 SMCHS season: “In all my years of playing travel ice hockey, nothing comes close to this season. This was the best season I’ve ever had, we enjoyed success, great coaching, playing for our school…and most importantly 17 teammates who turned into 17 brothers over the season”. The team’s successes include:
Champion – 11th Annual Midwest Thanksgiving High School Hockey Tournament
Champion – 11th Annual Coyotes Cup Holiday Hockey Festival 2009
Finalist – 6th Annual LA Jr. Kings President’s Day 2010 Tier Challenge
Champion – Anaheim Ducks High School Ice Hockey League
Overall record of 21-12-5 (W-L-T)
Perhaps the biggest success of last season was how the team exceeded the expectations of everyone involved. The school, the student body and the community embraced and supported the team and the program. The team played in front of capacity crowds at The Rinks in Anaheim and played the first ever High School Ice Hockey game at the Honda Center against rival JSerra. The Eagles winning that game 3-2 in front of hundreds of fans. Head Coach Craig Johnson had this to say, “The team enjoyed much success on the ice, but what really caught my eye was how close this team became off the ice as well".
Please direct questions to the teams email: SMCHS-Ice Hockey
Home games are played at Anaheim Ice, the practice facility of the Anaheim Ducks. |
