Discover Exceptional Community Coaches: Zealin Cronk

Each week, Discover will feature a different youth coach as part of its Exceptional Community Coaches series. In continued support of local hockey communities, Discover is making a $2,000 donation to each of the Learn to Play programs this season. This week, a look at Anaheim Ducks representative Zealin Cronk of The Rinks organization.

Name of coach:Zealin Cronk
Name of LTP program:The Rinks
About the coach: Passion, commitment and a love for the game ... all of these traits fit perfectly for coach Zealin "Z" Cronk, who grew up in The Rinks organization and is one of our most respected and beloved coaches by players and colleagues alike.
After an early start in roller hockey, Z fell in love with ice hockey, hitting the ice around age 5 with the Costa Mesa Comets. He would go on to play Junior Ducks and later high school and junior hockey in Boston. An unfortunate injury early in his junior career brought Z back to Southern California in 2014. One of Z's proudest moments was leading Beckman to a California state championship as head coach. Z is now serving as the Adult Hockey Coordinator at Westminster, continuing his lead coaching role with Anaheim Ducks Hockey Development programs, and is head coach with the Lady Ducks 16AA team.
His passion for coaching is obvious for all who know Z. First, he credits his dad for instilling in him and his siblings the importance of giving back. Z took that important lesson to his early volunteering as a youth coach, helping hundreds of kids in their hockey development and using positive reinforcement to encourage players of all ages. He also credits Rick Hutchinson for taking him under his wing and providing countless opportunities to learn and grow, both on and off the ice. He observed that "Hockey teaches life, the game itself is the teacher." Through his teaching and positive reinforcement to his players, great interpersonal skills, and sharing a sincere love for the game (plus, demos of incredible puck handling talent!), participants in The Rinks Youth Hockey Program have their biggest supporter in Z. It's great to have you on our staff, Z, and thank you for everything you do for our local hockey community!
Donation meaning:We appreciate the donation from Discover, as it will allow for more support for The Rinks organization, and gives coaches like Z, the chance to continue supporting the kids in our community.