Roster, 12AA, AA (Anaheim Lady Ducks)

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. ×

Caroline Marchant

Caroline Marchant is in her 18th year with the Lady Ducks program, virtually making the “Behind the Scenes” work on fundraising, college planning and Team Support what it is today. After earning an Engineering Degree from Clarkson University, Caroline spent time in Edmonton and Columbus, OH along with her husband Todd, and young family. After moving to California, in 2005, Caroline immediately stepped up to help grow the Lady Ducks program. Caroline uses her 22 years of coaching experience at all youth levels to help assist the coaches and managers with needed support in creating the culture of their team that fits within the Lady Ducks Culture.  Caroline’s commitment to supporting the management of all Lady Ducks teams, fundraising for the greater program and her endless energy to make so many things possible for all Lady Ducks is unsurpassed. Aside from competing with the Women’s team and earning nationals medals as well, Caroline has and will step on the ice for practices or the bench for any team in need of help to make their game successful. Caroline is the go-to person for many Lady Ducks as they approach high school and pursue dreams of attending college as student-athletes in the future×

Lillian Marchant

Lilli is entering her 4th full season of coaching for the Lady Ducks. Her experience playing NCAA hockey balanced with earning a Biology degree have given her the perspective which is great for the mentoring our AAA program looks to offer our players.  

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada while her father played for the Edmonton Oilers, Lilli started skating at 18 months old and fell in love with the game immediately. Lilli moved to Southern California in 2006 at the age of 8 and began playing in the in-house league at Anaheim Ice coached by her mom Caroline Marchant, making the Anaheim Lady Ducks 10u team the following season. She continued through the program playing 10u-19AAA winning a bronze medal at nationals for 14u in 2012. Lilli followed up with National Player Development camp selection and went on to play NCAA Division I at Lindenwood University in St Charles, MO where she was an assistant captain her senior year playing both forward and defense.  

Lilli has experienced many successes throughout her playing career and knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level. After moving home in August of 2021 Lilli got right back into hockey.  She enjoyed coaching this past season while being the assistant coach of the 14AAA team. Some of her favorite childhood memories are from being a Lady Duck developing camaraderie, team work, overcoming the challenges of school, travel, competition and the X's and O's of the game. Her next chapter is deeply rooted in her desire to bring back to the program her knowledge, skills and leadership to the bench for the program that helped build her into the person/player she has become.×