The puck is ready to drop on a new season of Orange Lutheran hockey, and the Lancers are back on the ice with their sights set on another state championship.
After coming up short at last year's California Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) State Tournament with a shootout loss in the semi-finals, OLu is looking to build on that experience and compete for the title.
"We have guys that have been in the league that have figured out what we have to do in the playoffs in order to be successful," says OLu hockey head coach August Aiken.
The program will field three teams this season that will compete in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League (ADHSHL). The D1, D2 and JV squads will include more than 55 student athletes, with a core of 10 returning players on the D1 roster.
The Lancers will be led this year by senior captain and defenseman Jayden Weiner. Up front, a trio of returning senior forwards in Tyge Atkinson, Elijah Bacon and Logan Burns are expected to be solid contributors on the offensive side of the puck.
In net for OLu this season are two senior goalies, Ry Jeffries and Tristan Van Camp. The program also welcomes transfers Stellan Gasseau and Daniel Kim, both of whom are expected to add the lineup.
At the D2 level, Aiken and the coaching staff are looking for junior Nathan Sumadi and sophomore Lex Von Esch to take the next step and have breakout seasons.
"We're going to bring a high tempo and fast pace," says Aiken. "Last year we struggled with scoring, so this year the focus is creating a lot of offense, finishing chances and scoring a lot of goals."
ADHSHL D1 opponents this season include Central Cathedral, Fairmont and Santa Margarita, all of whom will bring rivalry and tough competition to the ice. The Lancers will get their start in the chase for the league crown on August 29 when they take on Central Cathedral at Anaheim Ice.
With an emphasis on finding consistency, and with a group of seniors who are hungry for league and state wins, the Lancers are looking to build momentum early and carry it through the postseason.
"We have a veteran core group of players who have seen what it takes, had a good crack at it last year and fell short," says Aiken. "I think this year a lot of guys are coming in ready to make a run."
