High school hockey teams are in the heat of their seasons, but this week one Hermantown Hawk is packing his bags and flying to South Korea. Sophomore A.J. Francisco is shipping out to represent Team USA in the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games.

Hermantown held a sendoff event for him Tuesday at Hermantown Arena after their 8-1 win over Hibbing/Chisholm.

“Obviously I don’t want to leave mid-season, I love these guys. It’s a great culture here and it’s your family here. But when you get an opportunity like this, it’s once every four years you know, it’s once a lifetime. It’s something you can’t really pass up,” Francisco said.

He is one 17 skaters from ages 15-18 to land on Team USA’s roster.

In South Korea he’ll be joined by Superior’s own JJ Marthaler. Francisco will be one of six Minnesotans, while Marthaler is the team’s sole Wisconsin representative.

RELATED STORY: Superior sends off JJ Marthaler to 2024 Youth Olympic Games.

“We know each other. The U.S. has done a really great job of starting these these players early,” Marthaler said. “We’ll have I think about five days. We have a couple of days in San Jose for practicing, as well as I think two more for another practice, then just settle in when we get over to South Korea.”

“I know a lot of guys. I’ve played with most of them in the summer, so I know a lot of the team,” Francisco added.

They depart this Friday, January 19, which is when the games officially begin.

Team USA’s first match will be Saturday, January 27 when they face-off against Slovakia in the preliminary round.