A record 13 Southern California players represented the Ducks at the National Championships.

Three Southern California players representing the Ducks won national championships at the fourth Annual “Ace’s Got Skills” National Championships at the Walter A. Brown Arena Memorial Skating Pavilion at Boston University last weekend.

Vincent de Mey (Accuracy), Joshua Pack (Goalie) and Brian Desmond (Shootout) each came away with titles. They were among a record 13 Southern California players representing the Ducks at the competition. De Mey hit 8 out of 8 targets in the Accuracy competition, an Ace's Got Skills Nationals record.

The event, featuring 130 boys and girls from across the country, was launched in 2004 in memory of Garnet “Ace” Bailey. Ace was an 11-year veteran of the NHL and a two-time

Vincent de Mey won the title in the Accuracy category, hitting 8 out of 8 targets, an Ace's Got Skills Nationals record.

Stanley Cup Champion with the Boston Bruins in 1970 and 1972.  On September 11, 2001, Ace was performing his duties as director of pro scouting for the Los Angeles Kings when his plane struck one of the World Trade Center towers.

Modeled after the NHL’s popular All-Star SuperSkills Competition, the “Ace’s Got Skills” program gives players ages 9-12 the opportunity to test their skills in skating, puck handling, shooting, and goaltending categories. Regional winners from 10 NHL markets will compete in the National Championships.  Additionally, regional winners of the Sports Illustrated Kids Top Skills Award, given to the Squirt and Pee Wee players with the highest collective score from each of the individual challenges, will face off for the national title.

Joshua Pack won the top prize in the Goalie event.

Representing the Ducks in their given events were: Nicholas Kato (Fastest Skater, Accuracy, Hardest Shot, Shootout), Joshua Pack (Goalie), Zachary Kiser (Fastest Skater), Vincent de Mey (Accuracy, Hardest Shot, Top Skills), Kevin Leahy (Shootout), Ian Gibbons (Goalie), Chandler Cole (Fastest Skater, Hardest Shot), Andrew Cosley (Accuracy), Brian Desmond (Shootout), Alex Kalau (Accuracy), Patrick Leahy (Hardest Shot), Frankie Horowitz (Shootout, Fastest Skater, Top Skills), and Brody Cavataio (Goalie).

The players qualified for the Ace's Got Skills National Championships by winning one of the five skills categories during local events held Jan. 10 at Anaheim Ice, Jan. 11 at the Glacial Garden Skating Arena and Jan. 12 at the Aliso Viejo Ice Palace. Anaheim Ducks players Corey Perry and Kent Huskins were present on the ice to participate and give instruction to participants.

Brian Desmond was the winner in the Shootout competition.

A portion of the “Ace’s Got Skills” registration fee goes to the Ace Bailey Children’s Foundation, which focuses on the well-being of hospitalized children undergoing medical treatment with the establishment of programs, environments, and professional services that ease the stress inherent in a hospital stay for children and their families.

For more information, visit www.acesgotskills.com.