Orange Lutheran High’s boys hockey team is ranked No. 1 in California according to myhockeyrankings.com, the rankings system for North American youth ice hockey.
The Lancers are 26-1-1, and play No. 3 JSerra High at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday at Anaheim Ice.
A year ago, Orange Lutheran finished third behind Santa Margarita High and JSerra High in Division 1 of the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League, a collection of programs including Orange County schools such as JSerra, Santa Margarita, Edison High and Servite High. The Lancers later qualified for the High School Nationals in Omaha, Neb.
“We are focused and excited at the opportunity to compete for league and state titles and hopefully a shot at the national championship for the second year in a row,” Lancers coach Dan Adams told lhsoc.org before the season. “This is a group of exceptionally talented athletes with the will and desire to compete at the highest level.”
Orange Lutheran began its hockey program five years ago with 10 kids. Now, 35 student-athletes play.
Junior forward Chandler Ditolla received Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League player of the week honors last week for scoring three goals, including the game winner in overtime, against Santa Margarita. Teammates Riley Kraemer (Week 9) and Alexander Frosh (Week 1) are previous recipients of player of the week honors.
Ditolla and classmate Jacob Heller lead all of the Ducks league players with 15 assists. Heller (27 total points), Ditolla (22), Jakob Nelson (20) and Kraemer (17) currently occupy the league’s top four spots in that category.
Five Lancers will participate in the fourth annual High School Hockey League All-Star Game later this month.
For more information: adhshl.com.
Contact the writer: 714-704-3790 or bwhitehead@ocregister.com
