Zealin Cronk
We are excited that coach Zealin is returning to the LD program for his 3rd season.
Zealin’s extensive hockey background as a player and coach along with taking the 16AA team to nationals in back-to-back years have shown his tremendous value to the LD program. Zealin grew up in Huntington Beach and played for the Jr Ducks from the mite level on up.
Having an advanced grasp of the game even as a mite player, Zealin started coaching at camps and helping as a junior coach with teams by the time he was 12. After playing prep, then Junior hockey in Massachusetts injuries sidelined him. The obvious step was to move into coaching which led Zealin to mentor in the Rinks and jr. Ducks programs where he quickly became coordinator of youth hockey at Westminster ICE and head of the Beckman Area high school program.
Zealin coached with the Jr. Ducks for 6 years and worked with various Lady Ducks players already for training which was a major reason he felt transitioning to the girls program in 2020 was the next step. He has helped to build confidence, teamwork and skill/strategy growth, making him a great fit for the 12AA level. Lilli Marchant
Lilli is entering her sixth season coaching the Lady Ducks, bringing a strong combination of elite playing experience, academic achievement, and proven coaching success to the program. Her background as an NCAA Division I athlete, along with earning a degree in Biology, provides a well-rounded perspective that aligns with the developmental and mentoring focus of our AAA program. As a former Lady Duck, she understands firsthand what it takes to progress from the West Coast to the next level of the game.
Born in Edmonton, Alberta, while her father played for the Edmonton Oilers, Lilli began skating at just 18 months old and developed a lifelong passion for the game. She moved to Southern California in 2006 at the age of eight and began playing in the in-house league at Anaheim Ice before earning a spot on the Anaheim Lady Ducks 10U team the following season. Lilli advanced through the program from 10U to 19AAA, highlighted by a bronze medal finish at the 2012 USA Hockey National Championships at the 14U level. She also earned multiple selections to USA Hockey National Player Development Camps before continuing on to compete at the NCAA Division I level at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, where she served as team captain her senior year and played both forward and defense.
Since transitioning into coaching, Lilli has built a strong track record of success, leading her teams to multiple USA Hockey National Championship appearances and gaining the state and district titles multiple years across 14U-19U age groups for Tier I. Her coaching philosophy has been shaped by years of working alongside respected coaches and mentors, allowing her to bring a high level of organization, preparation, and intentional development to her teams. She is deeply committed to long-term athlete development, with an emphasis on accountability, confidence, and leadership.
A key strength of Lilli’s coaching is her guidance of athletes through the collegiate recruiting process. Drawing from her own NCAA experience and strong relationships with college coaches across all levels, she works closely with players and families to help navigate recruiting timelines, communication, exposure opportunities, and academic expectations. Lilli takes pride in advocating for her athletes, ensuring they are prepared, informed, and supported as they pursue opportunities at the next level.
Lilli coaches for the Anaheim Lady Ducks with a deep sense of purpose. Many of her most meaningful hockey memories were formed within the program—developing teamwork, resilience, and balance while managing the demands of academics, travel, and elite competition. Today, she is passionate about giving back to the organization that helped shape her, bringing her knowledge, experience, and steady leadership to the bench while providing families with confidence that their athletes are being guided with care, honesty, and a clear vision for their future.