This marks the third USA Hockey Varsity High School Championship for Santa Margarita (2013, 2018, 2019), which joined the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League in 2009. The high school league launched in 2008 with one team, and has since grown to 49. Slava Demin (Los Alamitos High School) became the first NHL player drafted who played in the league, going in the fourth round in 2018 to Vegas.
Three former Ducks players are on the coaching staff at Santa Margarita. The head coach is Craig Johnson, who played for the Ducks in 2003-04. His assistant coaches are Jason Marshall (Ducks player from 1995-01 & 2005-06), Ladislav Kohn (Ducks player from 1999-01) and Kaelin Groon.
"We are very proud of the kids and the way they played," said Johnson. "They faced a lot of adversity this year after losing so many key players from last year's team. They found a way to work through it, and persevered. We found a way to come out on top."
Details on championship game vs. Edina: Joshua Hyden scored a hat trick, including the game-winning goal in the second period. Goaltender Brandon Yamasaki made 25 saves.
(Photo courtesy of Santa Margarita Catholic High School)
