From the Jr. Kings Organization:

"The Los Angeles Jr. Kings had high expectations heading into this year’s California Amateur Hockey Association Tier I State Championships, and they didn’t disappoint.

In sweeping fashion, the organization’s 18U AAA, 16U AAA, 15U AAA, Bantam Major and Minor and Pee Wee Major and Minor teams all celebrated titles in their respective divisions at the event, which was contested the first weekends of February and March at The Rinks-Lakewood and -Westminster Ice.

With the seven championships, the organization staked claim to the unprecedented feat of winning every age division at the event in a single season.

“Regardless the age group, winning a state championship at any level is no easy task, so to sweep every division certainly speaks volumes to the hard work and dedication each and every one of our players, coaches and families have put forth over the course of the season,” said Jr. Kings general manager of hockey operations Nick Vachon. “As an club, we couldn’t be more proud and can’t wait to see how these teams grow and compete in the coming years, both on a local and national level.”

The Barry Dreger-coached 18U AAA team forged a 4-1 record at states, including a 3-1 triumph over the Anaheim Jr. Ducks in the championship game. The 18s opened the weekend with a 1-0 loss to the Ontario Jr. Reign before rattling off wins over the California Titans (4-3 in overtime), Jr. Reign (2-0) and Jr. Ducks (6-4) before its rematch with Anaheim.

Forwards Malcolm Bohan and Vlad Fadeev led the Jr. Kings offensively at states, and goaltender Mattias Sholl backstopped the team to three of its victories, including the finale.

Led by Jack Bowkus, the 16U AAA club finished states with a 3-1 mark, culminating in a 2-0 triumph over the Jr. Ducks in the championship game. The 16s blanked the San Diego Jr. Gulls, 7-0, to open the tournament before winning its first of three games played against Anaheim, 3-2 in a shootout. In Game 2 against the Jr. Ducks, Anaheim bested the Jr.  Kings, 3-0, before their winner-take-all rematch.

Defenseman Gabe Shipper put home three goals over the weekend, and forwards Matt Ramos (two goals, assist) and Nic Gonzalez (goal, two assists) also picked up three points. In goal for L.A., netminder Andy Violette earned all three victories.

In the 15 bracket, the Jr. Kings, led by head coach Jaro Modry, swept their best-of-three series against the Jr. Ducks with back-to-back 4-1 victories. Forward Thomas Stift led the Jr. Kings’ offensive charge with four goals (including a hat trick in Game 2) and two assists over the weekend, followed by defenseman Lucas Constantine (three assists). Between the pipes, goaltenders Kenna Berti and Michael Sochan each picked up a win.

The Bantam Major team finished with a perfect 5-0 record at states, including a 10-2 victory over the Jr. Ducks in the finale. The Jeff Turcotte-led squad opened with 8-1 and 7-0 wins over the Jr. Gulls and Jr. Ducks, respectively, before besting the Jr. Gulls (6-0) and Jr. Ducks (4-1) again leading up to its title-game victory over Anaheim."

Forward Paul Minnehan struck for 18 points over the weekend (eight goals) to lead the Jr. Kings’ scoring attack, and goaltender Alex Bonrouhi backstopped the club to four of its five victories.

Led by head coach Shawn Pitcher, the Bantam Minor 04 team forged at 3-1 record at states, including a 2-1 double-overtime victory over the Anaheim Jr. Ducks in Sunday’s championship game. The Bantams opened their weekend with a 3-2 triumph over the San Jose Jr. Sharks on Friday before falling to the Jr. Ducks, 3-1. They downed the Jr. Sharks again on Saturday, 6-0, before their title-game rematch against Anaheim.

The Jr. Kings’ Pee Wee Major 05 team, coached by Nick Vachon, put together a 4-1 mark in its division, including a 4-1 triumph over the Jr. Ducks in the finale. On Friday, L.A. opened states with a 4-3 loss to the Jr. Sharks before its first of three wins over Anaheim, 5-1. The club exacted revenge over San Jose on Saturday with a  3-2 victory before knocking off the Jr. Ducks again, 3-2, leading up to Sunday’s championship game.

The Jr. Kings’ Pee Wee Minor 06 squad, led by Jeremy Daughaday, finished with a 3-2 record at states, including a 4-1 triumph over the Jr. Ducks in Sunday’s finale. L.A. opened the weekend on Friday with a 7-1 win over San Jose followed by a 3-2 loss to Anaheim. On Saturday, the club downed the Jr. Sharks again, 5-1, before falling to the Jr. Ducks again, 4-3, setting up its finale against Anaheim.

Luc Robitaille, the Los Angeles Kings’ president and a Jr. Kings board member, was quick to commend the program on its accomplishment.

“(These) achievements give us great pride, and congratulations are in order to each one of (our players) as well as to (our) coaches and parents,” said the Hall of Famer. “(Our players’) personal growth both (on the ice) and as young people is our goal each season, and (their) performance this year has made our entire organization proud.”

The state titles mark the end of the season for the Bantam Minor and Pee Wee Major and Minor squads; the club’s 18U AAA, 16U AAA, 15U AAA and Bantam Major teams advanced to this year’s Pacific District Championships, which will be showcased from March 8-11 at Solar4America Ice at San Jose, to play for the right to compete in April’s USA Hockey National Championships.