Zane Torre | SoCal Series Interview
Zane Torre X SoCal Series
The first feature in The Pond Press’ SoCal Series — highlighting SoCal-born or trained prospects ahead of the 2025 and 2026 NHL Drafts.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — A former Junior Duck and now a rising WHL prospect, Zane Torre, is among the newest names turning heads on the ice.
Torre is gearing up for his first full season in the Western Hockey League (WHL), bringing a combination of speed, skill, and work ethic to the next level.
According to the Red Deer Rebels, last month, the Rebels acquired Torre from the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for a 4th-round pick in the upcoming 2025 WHL Prospects Draft, along with a future conditional 4th-round pick in 2028. He was originally selected 43rd overall by Seattle in the 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft.
Before signing with the Rebels, Torre spent three seasons with Shattuck St. Mary's, putting up 53 points (27 goals and 26 assists) in 49 games last season. His team capped off the season by winning the Chipotle-USA Hockey National Championship.
Torre also spent some time with Team USA during the Youth Olympic Games in 2024, which took place in Gangwon, South Korea. With the team, he recorded 3 goals along with 2 assists for 5 points en route to a gold medal for the United States.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Interview conducted via Zoom on May 29, 2025.
Q: Growing up in California, how did the hockey culture here influence your love for the game?
Torre: I would say just going to Ducks games — that was pretty much how it all started. Watching guys like Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, and Teemu Selanne, and even seeing visitors like Patrick Kane. Those were always fun games to watch. That really sparked my love for hockey. Ever since then, I have always wanted to play.
Q: Can you tell us where you grew up and what your childhood was like around hockey?
Torre: I grew up in Ladera Ranch — still live here now. I used to play street hockey with my little brother, knee hockey, and even some street hockey inside the house. There was a rink about 20 minutes away in San Clemente, and we’d go there to shoot on the shooting pads before it got shut down. It was a good time.
Q: When did you first fall in love with hockey? How old were you?
Torre: I was five. It was that Ducks-Blackhawks game. I saw Patrick Kane stick-handling the puck and thought, “Whoa, I want to do that.” Then I went ice skating with my mom, and ever since then, I just wanted to play.
Q: What was your community rink growing up? Where did you spend the most time practicing and skating?
Torre: It started at Chutescore in San Clemente, but that got shut down. Then we went to Aliso Viejo Ice Palace, where I played in-house until I was about seven. After that, I moved over to Anaheim Ice with the Junior Ducks.
Q: How does playing in Anaheim compare to playing at Shattuck-St. Mary’s?
Torre: It’s very different. Down here, it's more loose, less about systems and more about just playing your game and using your skill. At Shattuck, it's very systematic, even though it's still an offensive and skillful game. But I’d say here in California, it’s more laid-back, and you can play more freely.
Q: How has your play style evolved from when you first started to now?
Torre: Honestly, I think it’s stayed the same. I’ve always been a little bigger for my age and liked scoring goals. That’s always been my thing — shooting and scoring. But I’ve added more physicality and tried to be stronger in front of the net. I still like floating around the slot and getting open.
Q: What would you consider the strongest part of your skill set?
Torre: My shot. Shooting pucks in the backyard is so fun. I love getting out there and using it.
Q: Have you been working on any new skills recently?
Torre: Yeah, I’ve been working on tipping pucks and getting to the front of the net, trying to get good tips. I’ve also been trying to add a spin move shot, like pulling it around on the backhand. I’ve seen that Malkin video where he double-dinks both posts on a spinorama, that’s kind of what I’m trying to do.
Q: How do you approach tough games or matchups against top lines?
Torre: I just try to stay calm. We just played a national championship game, and going into that, I told myself it’s just another game. Just go out there, have fun, and play for your brothers. You can’t overthink it.
Q: What’s one message you’d want coaches and scouts to take away when watching you play?
Torre: You need goals to win hockey games, and I think I can provide that. With my skill set, I can bring some physicality and get on the board.
Q: If an NHL team, or even the Ducks, came calling on draft day — how would that make you feel?
Torre: That would be awesome. Just knowing all the time, money, and effort my parents and I have put in has paid off. If it was the Ducks? That’d be unbelievable. It wouldn’t even feel real.
Q: Who’s your favorite Ducks player right now?
Torre: Cutter Gauthier is coming up there. I think I play a little like him. But I’ve loved Trevor Zegras ever since he came into the league. If he stayed healthy, he’d be unbelievable — he’s just so fun to watch.
Q: Any other Southern California players you looked up to or connected with?
Torre: Yeah, I grew up skating with the same coach Trevor Zegras played for, so I skated with him a little when I was younger. Zegras has always been good, even when he was young. I’ve skated with Zeev Buium a few times, too. He also went to Shattuck, so we kind of followed the same path. He’s went to the program, but I’m going a different way, but he’s given me some good advice, like just keep your head down and work hard.
Q: You recently signed with the Red Deer Rebels in the WHL. How does that feel?
Torre: It’s awesome. I’m excited. It’ll be a new experience with tough hockey. I’m looking forward to it.
Q: Is there anyone you're particularly excited to play against in the WHL?
Torre: Yeah, if Gavin McKenna stays in the league, that’d be so cool to play against him. It’d be tough to keep up, but it’d be a great experience.
Q: How do you approach training during the offseason? Do you have a certain routine, or how do you go about it?
Torre: Yeah, so there’s a gym at Great Park Ice that I work out at. I go in there like three or four times a week, maybe more. I look at my upcoming season in the WHL, and my main focus is just getting faster on the ice. So we put together a program that focuses on speed and power. Then on the ice, I just work on keeping my skills sharp and tuned up. It’s mainly off-ice work, but I stay on the ice to keep everything fresh.
Rapid-Fire Round
Q: Favorite SoCal beach?
Torre: Laguna Beach.
Q: Hockey idol growing up?
Torre: Patrick Kane.
Q: First NHL game you ever went to?
Torre: Ducks vs. Blackhawks.
Q: Pre-game hype song?
Torre: That’s a tough one—anything that’s playing in the room.
Q: Post-game meal of choice?
Torre: Chipotle or pasta.
Q: Favorite hockey movie?
Torre: Miracle.
Q: Superstitions—yes or no?
Torre: Yes. Everything I put on, gear-wise, is left before right. And no one can touch my stick before the game.
