The Los Angeles Kings today announced the formation of the LA Kings High School Hockey League.

Beginning with the Inaugural 2015-2016 Season, eligible high school age players interested in participating in tryouts -- which will begin in early May – can visit lakings.com/highschool. Kings broadcaster / former player Jim Fox serves as the League Commissioner.

District teams forming at the following ice rinks in Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Kern counties include: Ice In Paradise (Goleta); Channel Islands Ice Center (Oxnard); Iceoplex Simi Valley; Ice Station Valencia; San Joaquin Community Hospital Ice Center (Bakersfield); Pickwick Ice (Burbank); Pasadena Ice and Toyota Sports Center (El Segundo).

West Ranch High School in Santa Clarita is the first High School to field a team.

More High School teams will be announced this spring.

The League will be run by the Kings Hockey Development Department

Hockey players in grades 9-12 are eligible.

The League is set to begin in September.

Said Kings President, Business Operations Luc Robitaille: “This is a significant step in our efforts to continue elevating the profile of our sport in and around our community. The response from the hockey community here so far has been tremendous as we slowly roll-out the program, and the high school league is the logical ‘next-step’ for us as we keep growing hockey throughout our city and our state.”