Mighty Ducks' Kids Are Today's All Stars

Inaugural High School All-Stars Game In Irvine

(April 8, 2008 -- IRVINE, CALIFORNIA) -- The Interscholastic Hockey Federation (IHF), one of the nation’s premier high school roller hockey leagues based in Irvine, announced their All-Star Rosters today to participate in the inaugural IHF All-Stars event on Saturday, April 19th at The 949 Roller Hockey Center in Irvine. Recently, the IHF also greeted its alumni athletes who returned to play in the Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League All-Stars game at their home rink

“What got me started were those Mighty Ducks movies,” said Yen Le, All-Star captain of the Loara Saxons roller hockey club.

Yen, like so many other young players in the hockey hotbed of southern California, were allured to hockey by the box office powerhouse Mighty Ducks’ movie series and the new NHL sensation Mighty Ducks, and even the influence of players like Wayne Gretzky of the Los Angeles Kings. Today, those Mighty Ducks kids are the up-and-coming all-stars at the high school and collegiate levels.

“Selections to the All-Stars are from the league's top athletes with the highest standard of good sportsmanship, athletic accomplishments, and contribution to their team,” said Art Wells, league president.

“In addition to recognizing the all-star players, we will also be recognizing selected all-star student-athletes at this event for their academic accomplishments, and team, civic and community contributions.”

Included in the list of all-stars who will also be receiving special achievement recognition is Yen Le. Yen, a senior who maintains a 3.77 GPA; plus Honors classes, also helps with local charities and is recognized for being the founder of his roller hockey club and leading them to this season’s junior varsity quarterfinals.

“I'm just a kid that loves the sport, says Yen. “After high school, I'll be attending Cal State Long Beach to major in Psychology & minor in Business. I’ll also be playing on their roller hockey team.”

Yen will be joined by fifty four other all-star roller hockey players representing 29 high schools from three southland counties in both Varsity and Junior Varsity divisions for competitive games and recognition awards in front of the 600 plus member league and event attendees.

Based on the recommendations of Coaches and a mix of statistics, the league’s committee completed the final selection process and announced their appointments to the All Star participants. Some all-stars are also included among the nation’s top-ranked players and members from AAU national high school championship teams from Santiago HS of Corona (2007 Varsity Champions), Marina HS of Huntington Beach (2006 Champions) and Los Alamitos HS (2007 Varsity II Champions).

“Wow! I didn’t realize anyone even knew about me,” said Ja’Nien Barber (left)of the Los Alamitos Griffins roller hockey club upon learning of her all-star nomination. “I’ve worked so hard to be recognized.”

In a first, Ja’Nien, the only female goalie in the league and the only female to make the Varsity all-star roster, will take to the rink with her longtime teammate Kevin Morrison on defense. The petite, model-esque netminder also bears the proud distinction of being the only goalie to defeat the powerhouse Marina Vikings in over three years of IHF competition.

Ja’Nien, a senior who ends her high school career with the all-star game, started playing the goalie position at age 9. By age 11 she was playing on boys’ travel club teams. Aside from her travels cris-crossing the country over the years, her accolades also include playing for Team USA girls and the for the Jr. Olympics team.

“Ja’Nien is revered by her teammates, coaches, and manager,” says Los Al’s teacher sponsor and team manager Jacqueline Post. “She was our goalie when we won State and Nationals last year and she was our goalie when we defeated Marina during a league game last year. As you know, to be competitive against Marina you need to have strength on the bench and particularly in the goal as their breakouts can wipe a team out quickly.”

When asked of her favorite high school memories, Ja’Nien was quick to point out her wanting her roller hockey team to be recognized by her school. “My highlight was walking across the gym floor at a school pep rally with my teammates and my carrying our trophies from the State and National championships. I was so proud she said. Ja’Nien sports the very first Los AL varsity leter jacket for hockey.

Beginning at 5:00 p.m., the IHF All-Stars 2008 event will begin by recognizing players from all four division championship teams and award them with their individual trophies as well as recognizing the league’s special achievers. Then, with renowned hockey announcer Nick Gismondi at the mike as emcee and for play-by-play, the Mascot Cup featuring the Junior Varsity All-Stars representing their mascots in two periods of tournament style action will commence at 6:00. Then, with school pride and sponsor awards from industry suppliers and local merchants on the line, following the introduction ceremony and singing of the anthem by Miss Katie Piz of Irvine, the Varsity All-Stars will take to the rink for the marquis event highlighting these skilled athletes in three periods of all-star roller hockey action at 6:45 p.m.

As part of the IHF’s One Community program, this event also features a hockey gear drive seeking donations of used hockey gear of all kinds and sizes for the a small, under-privileged community in the south San Diego community of Chula Vista who seeks our help. Organized by Jerry Nestlerode, the unofficial commissioner of the San Diego CIF Metro League - an 18-member high school league in San Diego county and the only officially CIF sanctioned roller hockey league in our state – Jerry's outreach programs serves the needs of an emerging group of kids, student-athletes and adults alike who view roller hockey as a fast-moving alternative to soccer. Through his efforts he's creating a new hub for the community, and it's working!

“This inaugural event marks the end to the tenth season for our high school roller hockey league,” said Wells. We’re proud of our student-athletes and look forward to them growing to become ambassadors of the sport and to our community.”

Everyone is invited to join in on this celebration of champions, and the fun of cheering these all-star student athletes on to a superb performance with their fellow all-stars in a season-ending display of skill and sportsmanship.

The high school all-stars event is open to the public and free of charge. The event will be held on Saturday, April 19th from 5 to 8:00 p.m. at The 949 Roller Hockey Center located at 3150 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, CA 92606-5202. More information is available by calling (949) 559-9949 or on the web at: http://www.ihf-hockey.org/allstars2008.htm