Darren Gardner knows it’s impossible to forecast how many wins the Capistrano Coyotes hockey team will record in its first season. Then again, the first-year coach knows his fledgling program already has two important victories in its back pocket.
The first was a 5-1 win over Corona-Norco in the team’s first game Sept. 7. The second is perhaps even more important: the strides the group has made in just under a couple of months of organized hockey.
“We have a great group of kids,” said Gardner. “It’s been a huge challenge, but they’ve been very receptive of what we’re trying to accomplish.”
The Coyotes are the newest team in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League, and are the first public-school team from south Orange County. The squad is made up 23 players from 12 different high schools in the Capistrano, Saddleback Valley and Irvine Unified school districts.
It is one of four “district” teams that will compete in the league’s Varsity 2A Division, which includes Corona del Mar, Corona-Norco, Damien, Edison, Huntington Beach, Long Beach Prep, Los Alamitos, San Diego South and Villa Park. District teams are considered teams that feature players from multiple schools. Pure-school teams feature players from one school.
Although district teams have a unique advantage in that they can pull top players from multiple schools, it does come with some challenges.
“Because we don’t have a junior varsity program, we have a discrepancy in talent, which is unique from almost any other sport. It’s like a football coach having to conduct practices that include freshman players going up against seniors,” said Gardner, who has won five state championships as a coach.
“There are so many variables. How do you match up players in drills? How do you change your practice schedule to accommodate everybody’s skill level?”
However, Gardner believes lower-skilled players will improve in time because they are practicing with higher-skilled players.
“I believe in pulling them up rather than pushing them. If you treat a player as they are, then that’s what they will be. But if you treat them like a senior with club ability, then that’s what they will become,” said Gardner. “So far, everybody’s been hanging with us.”
The Coyotes feature one freshman, eight sophomores, 10 juniors and four seniors. Of its 23 players, 11 have club experience, which, according to Gardner, is huge.
“I think we have as many club players on our team as any other. The more club players you have, the stronger your roster is,” he said.
“We have a good mix of players,” said senior forward Connor Reed (Aliso Niguel). “They’re all pretty good skaters.”
The only downside to having club players on your squad is scheduling. For instance, the Coyotes will be missing a number of players for this Saturday’s game against Edison because they will be at a showcase tournament in Minnesota.
But Gardner feels – when at full strength – he has a team that can contend.
“I feel we’re a strong team and can match up against anybody in our league,” he said. “Our goal is to playing March 6 for the league championship. There’s no reason why we shouoldn’t expect that.
“If you have limited expectations, you’re limiting yourself. We’re here to win a championship.”
Reed agrees.
“I’m surprised how well we’ve played together,” he said. “But we could get a lot better. I think we have a strong team that can win a championship.”
Reed and Anaheim Ducks 18AAA Division teammate Keenan Haase (Pacific Coast) are considered the team’s leaders. Both were on the ice for all five of Capistrano’s goals vs. Corona-Norco, and both recorded five points (2 goals, 1 assist).
“Connor is blazing fast with great hands, and Keenan is a physical specimen with a great shot. They compliment each other very well,” said Gardner.
Tesoro High junior Ben Salkowitz rounds out the first line at right wing.
The Coyotes’ second line features sophomores Declan Curtis (Capistrano Academy), Bennett Curran (Capistrano Valley) and Max Kamper (Aliso Niguel), who were all teammates on the same Ducks U16 Midget AAA squad.
Another top player is Cameron McCartin (Aliso Niguel), who Gardner feels is the team’s best “non-club” player. He currently plays on the third line, but “could play on the first,” said Gardner. “He has all the tools, and he may be the fastest skater on the team.”
McCartin and teammates Colin Kennedy (Tesoro), Justin Willy (Halstrom Academy), Jacob Dopudja (Mission Viejo) and Logan Peck (El Toro) were teammates on a Orange County Hockey Club U16 A and AA team that won back-to-back CAHA state championships.
Anchoring the defense will be junior goalie Kevin Vernon (Laguna Hills), who Gardner said had a stellar game vs. Corona-Norco.
“He was near-flawless, and you don’t see that too much in a goalie at this age,” said Gardner. “He was calm, cool and collective. He was definitely the backbone of our defense.”
Along with the ADHSHL schedule, Gardner said he hopes to play in a Thanksgiving tournament hosted by JSerra. He said he’d like to schedule single games, especially against defending state champion Santa Margarita.
“We want to get better, and right now (Santa Margarita) is the best,” Gardner said. “We want to emulate them and reach their level some day.”
Contact the writer: magarcia@ocregister.com or 949-454-7309
