SoCal Sports Spotlight: The Anaheim 18UAA Jr. Ducks
It’s more than a game, it’s about life.
Hardship and perseverance had been no stranger to head coach Mike Perkins and his 18UAA Jr. Ducks team this past year. Covid heavily impacted their season as they weren’t even able to fully finalize a roster until after December. However, nothing could prepare them for the sudden loss of one of their beloved coaches, John Pellegrino.
Pellegrino (left), Busher (center/left), Sheridan (center/right), Perkins (right)
On February 13, 2021, assistant coach John Pellegrino collapsed on the bench while at a tournament with the Jr. Ducks in Dallas. His sudden passing was unexpected and heavily effected his family as well as the players and coaches with him.
Pellegrino had been coaching with Perkins for nearly 10 years. He had known Perkins while coaching his sons in youth hockey, but Pellegrino officially joined Perkins on the bench to coach for JSerra Catholic High School’s hockey team. During their years at JSerra, the coaches developed successful teams winning numerous tournaments and even going to nationals. It’s hard for Perkins to pick a specific favorite memory with Pellegrino after his numerous years knowing him as a father, coach, and friend, but he says he will always fondly remember their time spent with JSerra.
John Pellegrino was an electrical engineer for the city of Anaheim by day and a proud and dedicated hockey coach by night. Hockey was his passion. Despite his sons graduating from Jserra Hockey and aging out of the Jr. Ducks program, Pellegrino continued to stay coaching with Perkins.
“John was the right kind of person to have around young people with his selfless commitment and his dedication to coaching.”
Perkins and his coaching staff also take the opportunity to coach these kids beyond the game of hockey. His players are taught to hold themselves to high standards whether it’s their behavior on the bench or etiquette while traveling as a team. Perkins and Pellegrino recognize that as coaches of boys 18 and under, they have the ability to guide them as men. Coaching 18U is special to these coaches as it can be the last year of a player’s competitive hockey career or it can catapult them further. Regardless, the coaches are aware of their opportunity to show these boys that their lessons can often transcend beyond the rink.
The Jr. Ducks coaches teach 6 core values to all of their players in order to be successful on the ice but also in life.
1. Win Races to Loose Pucks
a. The most fundamental and important rule of the game is winning races to loose pucks. It dictates whose in control of the game and can easily be applied to the integrity of one’s character whether it’s his job or day-to-day life
2. Blocking Shots
a. The ultimate sacrifice. When a player sacrifices his body for one of his teammates to prevent a goal
3. Backchecking
a. Working hard defensively and working even harder when without possession of the puck
4. Take hits to make plays
a. The ability to skate through a hit. It’s much easier to give up on a play and your teammates when you pull away from a hit. It takes heart and character.
5. Stops & Starts
a. Being able to stop and start at any moment. It’s tiring, but reveals work ethic
6. Be a Tough Hockey Player
a. This doesn’t mean punching someone in the face or retaliating against an opponent. It means being mentally strong to continue playing the game of hockey and keeping emotions in check. Perkins remarks this is one of the most difficult value for players under the age of 18.
These are the 6 rules the Jr. Ducks live by. Perkins notes that you don’t necessarily need skill to apply these to your game. If every player buys into these systems, they are working together cohesively as one unit. It proves that a player doesn’t necessarily need skill to compete, he needs work ethic, heart, and desire.
The coaches engrain these values in their players to create strong hockey players, but also strong men. They develop close and meaningful relationships in a way that Perkins is still friends with former players who now have wives and kids. After this 2021 season, John Pellegrino’s passing created an indelible bond between the coaches and players. They knew they had to continue playing for Pellegrino, as that is what he would’ve wanted.
The Jr. Ducks 18UAA playing in honor of Pellegrino.
John Pellegrino’s wife holding a JP patch.
The players continued to play in Pellegrino’s name by adding ‘JP’ patches to their jerseys, chanting his name before games, and posting with the #Play4Pelle. While they ultimately finished as the runner ups in the State Championship, the Ducks maintained an incredible season and are now bonded for life as the 18UAA Jr. Ducks will always continue to play in John Pellegrino’s memory.
In loving memory of John Pellegrino 12/13/68 – 02/13/21
John is survived by his wife Lisa and two sons Kyle (23) and Michael (21).
