JSerra Catholic High School announced on Friday that David Karpa and Guy Hebert, two long-time stars of the Anaheim Ducks, will lead the Ice Lions coaching staff during its second season.

David Karpa, the veteran defenseman, is the squad’s new head coach. Retired NHL All-Star Guy Hebert will serve as goalie coach. Joining them on the coaching staff is strength and conditioning coach Joshua Aycock.

“It’s an honor and thrill for me to be involved in sharing my passion for ice hockey with the next generation of players, and I’m particularly excited about leading the sport’s growth in Southern California,” said Karpa, who lives in Newport Beach. “We have an outstanding group of scholar-athletes dedicated to their sport and their community.”

Hebert  who was Karpa’s teammate on the Ducks, said he was impressed with the values JSerra instills in its students and scholar-athletes.

“My hope is that I can help teach the scholar-athletes not only to a better player on the ice but to be a better person off the ice,” he said. “Many challenges that athletes face in competition help mold their character. He also said he looks forward to working with the goalies.

“Goalies are often overlooked so I hope I can help give them a good base for their further development,” he said.

JSerra made history last year when it partnered with the Ducks to become the inaugural team in the first-ever Orange County high school ice hockey league. The team travelled to compete in tournaments as far away as Canada, Ohio and Chicago, plus competed against Southern California Amateur Hockey Association teams. It was the only high school team.

This year, the league expanded to include JSerra’s Trinity League rivals Santa Margarita Catholic High School. The Ice Lions will face off against their Santa Margarita rivals for the first time on September 26 at The Rinks - Anaheim Ice at 7:30 p.m.

The game will mark an important step in the sport’s evolution. Another step will come at Thanksgiving when the Ice Lions compete in the prestigious Loyola Academy Thanksgiving Tournament in Chicago and travel to south Florida to face the defending state champion North Broward High School on October 4.