JEFFERSON TWP — Between them, Matt Eshelman and Ty Honzo have been playing organized hockey for more than 15 years.

The Knoch High students will be playing in their first all-star games Saturday and Sunday when they participate in the Continental Junior Hockey League's All-Star Showcase in Buffalo, N.Y.

Besides playing for Knoch's varsity hockey team, Eshelman and Honzo play for the Pittsburgh Junior Penguins Select team. They were among 20 players selected by opposing coaches from the 140-plus youngsters in the Continental circuit.

"It's a great honor for those two young guys," said Knoch coach Joe Honzo, Ty's father. "It shows the high level they've been playing at."

At 5-feet 11, 150 pounds, sophomore Ty Honzo, 15, is a physical defenseman who has been playing hockey for nine years.

The 5-11, 190-pound Eshelman is a junior who's been playing hockey since age 9.

Eshelman started the season as a defenseman but was moved to forward. He will play defense during the all-star showcase.

The Junior Penguins Select team plays in an age 16-to-18 league, so Honzo and Eshelman are among its younger players.

"I've played in out-of-state tournaments before, but never an all-star event like this," Honzo said. "It's a good chance to get looked at by college coaches."

The All-Star Showcase consists of two games between the Continental Junior Hockey League and Great Lakes League All-Stars. A skills competition also will be held.

Honzo has two goals and three assists in eight games for Knoch. Eshelman has seven goals and three assists in nine games.

Eshelman has scored a handful of goals for the Junior Penguins as well.

"I'm surprised I got picked because it's only my first year in the league and I had a knee injury early in the season," Eshelman said. "I'm excited about the opportunity."

Eshelman played amateur hockey with the Butler Valley Dawgs before this year.

"Ty played for the Junior Pens last year," Eshelman said. "When I joined Knoch's team, he talked to me about trying out for the team and I made the squad.

"The skill level is a big difference. Playing there has helped my speed and confidence."

Honzo and Eshelman are hopeful of playing hockey in college.

"I'm probably on the ice five times a week between high school and junior hockey," Honzo said. "I don't see myself playing beyond college, but if the opportunity came, I'd definitely look at it."

Knoch's varsity team is 8-5-0 and has a three-point lead in the PIHL Class A Southwest Division.