SYLVANIA, OH (WTOL) - The hockey talent coming out of Northwest Ohio is about as good as we've ever seen it. The latest crop of young guys getting ready to take center stage though, might be the best.
Three players from our area are all getting set to put on Team USA uniforms to compete on the global stage.
Sylvania's Mitchell Miller will play his college hockey at North Dakota.
A year ago he played for Team USA on the U17 team.
Now, he will represent the United States next week up in Edmonton playing in the Hlinka-Gretkzy Cup.
"Its awesome. I don't know how to explain it. Throwing the USA jersey on is the best feeling ever. To be able to do it again this year is awesome," said Miller.
Ben Schoen is getting his first shot at wearing the red, white, and blue.
The Maumee native committed to play his college hockey at Miami of Ohio when he was in 8th grade.
"Obviously to make the team and get to represent your country is a once and a lifetime thing. I'm not going to take anything for granted. I'm going to have fun, play my best and hopefully bring home some gold," said Schoen.
And Perrysburg's Tanner Dickson will join Schoen in Slovakia representing the US in the Five Nations tournament.
Dickinson is also a Division I hockey prospect.
He will play in college with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
All three players have been scouted heavily since they were young, so the pressure of the global stage is nothing new.
"You just have to work as hard as you can all the time and give it 100% effort. I just try to play my game and not get distracted by things and play my best. Just the way you prepare, nutrition and everything. You can't be taking days off," said Dickinson.
Schoen invites the pressure.
"I kind of like having the pressure and having to come into places knowing people are going to watch you, scouts and stuff. I enjoy it. I take it like a job and show them what I got. Can't really have an off day because people are always watching," said Schoen.
All three guys are training at EAO Sports in Sylvania with Dan Jones, and they recognize just how good this crop of young talent is.
"Its awesome. We have a bunch of great hockey players coming out of Toledo. We have never really been known as a powerhouse. To have two other division one athletes working out with me, its fun. Its good to workout with the best, train with the best," said Schoen.
