The vast majority of high school ice hockey players have hung up their skates until next season.

But that's not the case for Mars' Bryan Ross and Freeport's Zach Hepler.

The two Butler County players have been chosen to represent the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League at the 22nd Annual Chicago Showcase Wednesday through Sunday.

The duo will be playing for Team Pittsburgh, which is scheduled to face all-star teams from New York, California and Minnesota.

Team Pittsburgh pulls its players from all three PIHL classes, A, AA and AAA. Ross and Hepler are the only two that were picked from Class A.

Tryouts for the squad were held earlier this month. Final cuts were made April 4.

"There were a lot of good players at the tryouts," said Hepler, a defenseman. "I was happy to make the team."

This was the second year in a row that Ross, a senior goaltender, tried out for Team Pittsburgh.

"I tried out last year, but things didn't work out as I would have liked," said Ross. "But it's a prestigious tournament and a great opportunity."

Ross is certainly familiar with his position. He's played hockey for 11 years and has been a goaltender for 10 of them. He's been the Planets' netminder since his freshman year.

His numbers this season included a 2.3 goals-against average in 16 games and a save percentage of 91.3.

"What I like about being goalie is that it all comes down to you at some point," Ross said. "You're either the hero or you fail. It's pretty intense, but I like it.

"A lot of people think being a goalie is just about going down and getting back up, but there's a lot more to it than that," he added.

Don't let Hepler's position as a defenseman fool you. The junior scores and he scores often.

In 21 games this past season, Hepler scored 20 goals. Add on his 17 assists and he averaged 1.8 points per contest.

"I was looking to score a lot coming into this season," said Hepler. "I had 46 points as a sophomore."

Hepler still manages to take care of the traditional duties of a defenseman. He led the Yellowjackets this year with 70 penalty minutes.

"It's a tribute to his ability," said Yellowjackets coach Dave Hepler. "He can get the puck in his own end and rush it up the ice. Plus, he's got a really good shot from the point."

Like Ross, Hepler has played his position so long that it has become second nature.

"He started playing hockey when he was 3 years old," said Dave Hepler. "And he's been a defenseman right from the start."

Another factor that has helped both players is that they play on teams outside of high school. Ross dresses for the Pittsburgh Junior B Penguins while Hepler just finished his first season with the Pittsburgh Aviators, a Midget Major squad.

"Playing for (the Junior B Pens) has helped me prepare for Team Pittsburgh," said Ross. "I don't think I'll see anything for Team Pittsburgh that I haven't already seen for the Penguins."

Both players hope to play hockey after high school. And scouts will be swarming on the upcoming tournament in Illinois.

"Right now I'm relaxed," said Ross. "But once I suit up for that first game, I'll be nervous. But it's just a matter of going out and doing what I know how to do."