With his arms still a little tired from hoisting the Penguins Cup trophy, Pine-Richland forward Brandon Saad packed his bags and was off to Ann Arbor Michigan, as he is trying to earn a position on the Junior National Team.

Fellow Pittsburgher Stephen Johns of Ellwood City, who also has a shot at making the team, joined Saad on the trip.

"They are big, talented and athletic," said Jeff Potter, who has coached Saad and Johns. "They are the definition of an NHL prospect."

Both Saad and Johns have come up through the ranks of the Pittsburgh Hornets program. They played on the Midget Major Under 18 team this season, and excelled. An amazing feat considering Saad is 15 and Johns 16.

"Brandon and Stephen have played against the best competition in highly visible tournaments," said Joe Gall, Hornets head coach. "We have a reputation for developing players, and the Junior National Team looks to us."

Gall added that Saad has a great combination of skating and shooting ability.

Saad can shoot like a pro and has the physical ability to move the puck through traffic and finish a shot. He can play with power or finesse.

"Brandon has good sense and really good hands and vision on the ice," Gall said. "He has a knack for scoring and those are the things that set him apart."

Johns, like Saad, has an interesting combination of size and strength as well.

"Usually when you have kids this young and this big, they can be awkward," Gall said. "These kids are really athletic, skate with power and can handle the puck."

Johns, a defenseman, is a powerful player, who Gall said is continually getting stronger. Johns, like Saad can play a finesse game or a physical game.

"Stephen can make an open ice hit or pin people down," Gall said. "He can make back door passes and score too. He has the ability to put the puck anywhere he wants.

"Not many guys can do what he does."

Gall said that normally he does not move kids up as young as Saad and Johns because it is just too much to ask.

"In their cases, they are both mature enough," Gall said. "They are intelligent, sociable and very coachable kids. They work well with their teammates and to coach that kind of talent is easy and exciting."

Gall added that both kids are very likeable and are willing and able to do what they can on the ice to help their teams be successful.

Gall advised both players to be themselves out there. The advice may seem a little cliche, but Gall has seen so many players try to play outside themselves, when all they had to do was play their game.

"They just have to play the way they can and their talents will stand out," Gall said. "The risk is trying to be something you're not. Don't try to do too much, but take advantage of offensive opportunities and play physical."

Saad and Johns have already accomplished a lot just being invited to try out. They hope their efforts put them on a similar road of players like former Plum and current Philadelphia Flyers player R.J. Umburger, who began his quest to the NHL at this level.

Saad is excited for the opportunity.

"This has been a dream of mine," Saad said. "If I make the team, I'll live with a family in Ann Arbor and practice after school."

Saad hopes to make the team and looks forward to playing teams from around the world.

If they are selected for the Junior National Team, the process will begin right away. Transfer of schools will begin and they will begin orientation and off-the-ice training in July.