12 Teams Begin Play in Ice Hockey League

Ice hockey is not a sanctioned Southern Section sport, but 11 schools are fielding teams and several others have combined to form one in a 12-team club league that begins play today with a game between Loyola and Manhattan Beach Mira Costa at 4 p.m. at Staples Center.

The league, partially sponsored by the Kings, features a 10-game schedule. Games also will be played at the Kings’ new training center in El Segundo and Iceoplex North Hills.

The season will culminate with a championship game April 1 at Staples Center before the Kings play the Mighty Ducks.

Other schools participating are Santa Monica, El Segundo, Redondo Union, Peninsula, South Torrance, Westlake, Calabasas, Van Nuys Montclair Prep and North Hollywood Campbell Hall.

Information: (818) 893-3424.

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Redondo Union lost to Compton Dominguez in the Southern Section Division II-A boys’ basketball championship game two years ago, and the Sea Hawks are hoping to get a rematch in this season’s final.

Redondo has not won a section title since 1943.

The Sea Hawks, however, began the week with a 10-1 record. Their only loss came in a tournament last week in Oregon against Beaverton (Ore.). Redondo did, however, defeat Manhattan Rice, a New York team that had been ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today earlier this season.

Senior center Andrew Zahn and senior guard Ryan Mullins have led Redondo, which plays a key Bay League game Saturday night against Compton Centennial.

“This could be one of the better teams for Redondo, providing we continue to improve,” said Jim Nielsen, who is in his eighth season as coach of the Sea Hawks. “It comes down to attitude and injuries.”