WENATCHEE, Wash. - Three Wenatchee Wild Hockey Academy teams are headed to the USA Hockey Pacific District tournament at the end of this month in Anaheim, California, and the Wild 18-and-Under team nearly repeated its success with a championship the following week in its home tournament.

The Wenatchee 18U team clinched its spot with a clean sweep in the best-of-3 series, earning a 6-2 win over the Seattle Jr. Kraken at home before taking a 2-1 decision in a shootout at the Kraken Community Iceplex in Seattle to finish the series. The 16U team needed all three games of the series to polish off its spot in Anaheim, splitting the first two before Aidan Yu locked up the Pacific District berth with an overtime winner.

The 15-Only team received an automatic bid to the Pacific District tournament as the state of Washington's sole USA Hockey-certified 15O program. The 14U team ran into two talented teams, as Star Academy clinched the state's Pacific District berth. Alex Haglund potted a goal and an assist to lead Wenatchee in the tournament, held in Tacoma.

"What we preach to the guys is that both teams got banners, and that means more banners for the arena. The city of Wenatchee should be very proud," said Wenatchee Wild Hockey Academy director Troy Mick. "It's always nice when you become state champions, and we always tell the guys that no matter where hockey takes you, they can always come back. They may not know it now, but it's pretty impressive when you come back to the arena knowing that banner was part of your work ethic, part of your team back then. When I go back to Vernon and see our two national championship banners that I was able to be a part of, you're always going to remember."

While the 15O and 14U teams spent some time away from competition, the CSSHL teams hosted their annual home tournament, with the 18U team coming up just shy of another championship. The 18U team shut out Seattle by a 3-0 count to open the tournament, but split its Saturday games, taking a 3-0 loss to the Wasatch Renegades before cruising by Burnaby Winter Club, 6-2. A 4-2 win over the Tri-City Jr. Americans sent Wenatchee on to the final, with the Renegades snagging a 1-0 victory to claim the title on a goal at the end of a Wenatchee power play with five minutes left.

The 16U team went 2-2 in the tournament, falling 4-1 to the Wasatch Renegades and 9-0 to Team Alaska, but defeating the Semiahmoo Ravens twice. The latter of those wins came in the tournament's consolation game by a count of 2-1.

The 18U team squeezed in one more game before enjoying a week-and-a-half break, defeating Coeur d'Alene Academy Wednesday afternoon 4-1. Gregor Ermellini scored back-to-back goals in the first period to put the Wild Hockey Academy on track, before Bode Drew and Cameron Kimmerly notched power play goals in the final period. Geon Park added an even-strength goal with 2:38 to play, putting the game on ice. In all, Wenatchee finished 2-for-5 on the power play, and turned away all six CDA power play chances.

The weekend to come will be a quiet one for the Academy teams, with the 15O team set to practice at Eastern Washington University in Cheney before making its trip to the Pacific District tourney.