Mars middle school student and Pittsburgh Vengeance AA hockey player Jacob Brock will travel to Europe next year for the United World Games. Submitted photo

While classmates are enjoying the start of next summer, Jacob Brock will be overseas on the ice.

The eighth-grade hockey player at Mars Middle School was selected recently to participate in the STUDENTHathleteWorld United World Games from June 15-24, 2025. He will compete for the United States across Europe — his mother, Tabatha Brock, believes the plans include Austria, Poland, Italy and Germany — against other international youth teams.

“Surprised, excited,” Jacob said.

Jacob plays club hockey for Pittsburgh Vengeance AA and competes in summer tournaments with Dark Magic. He got into hockey watching his older brother, Brody, play.

He plays defense and considers himself a “good skater, a lot of speed,” who can make plays for his teammates.

Student-athletes are nominated for the trip — Jacob was nominated by Alex Luca, who runs Dark Magic — and selected during an interview process based on a combination of their “academics, leadership ability, and character,” according to STUDENTathleteWorld. The trip also includes sightseeing.

“It's a unique opportunity given to hockey players,” Tabatha said. “This is hand-selected, top hockey players, but also top students where they have to have the better grades. ... To be able to be taken to Europe (is exciting).”

Jacob’s favorite subject is language arts because he likes to read a lot, mainly mysteries and thrillers. He recently finished the “Not Even Bones” trilogy.

Jacob started skating when he was 2 years old and picked up hockey when he was 4. A military family — his dad is a pilot in the Air Force and flies KC-137s, Tabatha said — the Brocks lived in Philadelphia for five years, until Jacob was 9, before they moved back to the Pittsburgh area.

Jacob was also the “shadow” to another brother, Nicholas Clement, who was 12 years older than Jacob and would do anything for his younger brother, Tabatha said. Nicholas died at 20.

When not on the ice, Jacob also likes to play his guitar.

The trip next year will be his first out of the country, he said, and he’s excited about “everything.”