With COVID 19 delaying many sports seasons in California, teams found ways to keep their game sharp. Santa Margarita’s Varsity D1 Ice Hockey team are preparing for tournaments in states with lax restrictions.

From January 1st-3rd the ice hockey team will be traveling to Dallas Texas to compete in the Lone Star Invitational. This will be the team’s first official game and a good test of how they hold up against national teams.

“We have not played any real games this year so going to Texas will really be a good experience and be fun for us to get some actual games in,” senior forward Joshua Hyden says.

The team this year is being led by Aidan Casey, (captain) Marcus Kim, (assistant captain) Brandon Yamasaki, (assistant captain) Ryan Riddlesperger, (assistant captain). They’ve also got a talented roster and coaching staff led by newly appointed head coach Ladislov Kohn.

“I am humbled and honored to be named as the new head coach for the SM Eagles,” Kohn said. “I’m looking forward to coaching this talented group of players and being a mentor to them on and off the ice. With the help of the SM staff and coaches, we can continue our great success as champions.”

The 2020/21 Eagles Ice hockey team is coming off of a successful season placing second in the state. They also qualified for the national tournament where they looked to defend their back-to-back national championships in 2018 and 2019.

“This year we are looking to bounce back from a great season last year and hopefully start a successful season with a great tournament in Texas in the next couple weeks,” Hyden says.